Durham Professor says the Prime Minister's trip to Washington is hugely significant
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be meeting with President Trump later
A Durham University Law and Government Professor says that Sir Keir Starmer heading to Washington is one of the most significant trips a British Prime Minister has paid to America in a very long time.
Today the Prime Minister will travel to Washington DC for his first face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump since he returned to the White House.
Thom Brooks, Professor of Law and Government at Durham University's Law School, said: I think the Prime Minister’s trip is hugely significant.
"You have the first issue of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The American Government has sent representatives meeting with Russian representatives to discuss possible way forward here.
"Emmanuel Macron from France has met with Donald Trump recently to give one perspective, trying to bring an end to the three-year plus conflict. It’s a huge issue very obviously and trying to get this right.
"It will be very important for the Prime Minister to make progress on that, but also the future of NATO in general. The future of America’s involvement in European defence issues.
"Trump wants European leaders to fund more of European defence than they do and there’s enormous challenges there to face.
"It’s probably one of the most significant trips a British Minister has paid to America in a very long time, particularly on defence."