In light of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Sir Keir Starmer prepares to unveil additional military support and sanctions for Ukraine, amid contrasting views from former US President Donald Trump.
Sir Keir Starmer is poised to announce a new set of measures in support of Ukraine, aligning with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24. The package, which is being referred to as a ‘triple whammy’, is expected to compose of additional military assistance for Ukrainian forces and enhanced sanctions aimed at reinforcing the UK’s stance against Russia. This initiative follows the imposition of sanctions on over 2,000 Russian individuals and entities since the onset of the conflict.
In a preparation for the announcement, Defence Secretary John Healey will conduct interviews on Monday to elaborate on the new support measures, while Foreign Secretary David Lammy is anticipated to address the House of Commons. The aim of these measures is to reaffirm Britain’s commitment to Kyiv, particularly in light of contrasting views expressed by former US President Donald Trump, who has been critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging him to end the ongoing conflict and expressing discontent over Zelensky’s exclusion from US-Russia peace negotiations.
Reports indicate that Zelensky is looking to placate US demands for a peace agreement while moving ahead with a deal that would provide the US access to vital mineral deposits in Ukraine. Tensions in US-Ukraine relations have escalated, with Trump reportedly threatening to cut US funding to Ukraine after expressing frustration over Zelensky’s actions during negotiations.
The discrepancies between UK and US positions regarding support for Ukraine are set to be further explored on Thursday, when Sir Keir will meet with Trump at the White House. In anticipation of the discussions, Trump has publicly accused the UK Prime Minister of inaction in resolving the crisis. He has also been vocal about his belief that the conflict would not have commenced under his presidency, asserting his ability to swiftly bring it to a close.
Ahead of his talks with Trump, Sir Keir is expected to disclose a date when the UK will allocate 2.5% of its GDP on defence, a move likely intended to demonstrate alignment with Trump’s calls for increased defence spending in Europe. However, scrutiny of how this spending increase will be financed is expected during the discussions.
Adding to the diplomatic dynamics, Sir Keir is anticipated to present an invitation from King Charles III for a state visit, which would make Trump the first elected leader in modern history to receive such an honour twice.
As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear which approach will prevail: continued support for Ukraine in preparation for potential peace talks or persistent military backing as the conflict drags on. A senior government source emphasised the UK’s rationale, stating, “We have always said we want to put Ukraine in the strongest position, whether that’s for going into talks or for the continuation of fighting.”
In the coming week, French President Emmanuel Macron is also scheduled to visit Washington. The respective leaders of the UK and France face the challenge of persuading Trump to adopt a more conciliatory stance towards Ukraine in light of his previous criticisms.
Trump’s administration had previously created waves among global leaders by refusing to assign Russia the label of ‘aggressor’ in the Ukraine conflict. His views extend to a critique of the aid efforts undertaken by the Biden administration and the suggestion that Ukraine must reimburse the United States for the support provided, which he calculates to be around $300 billion.
With the upcoming announcements and discussions poised to reshape the international landscape on Ukraine, the divergent strategies of Western nations are poised to come under the spotlight as leaders converge in Washington.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/02/21/starmer-to-defy-trump-with-new-aid-for-ukraine/ – This article supports the claim that Sir Keir Starmer is announcing new measures to support Ukraine, including military aid and sanctions, contrasting with Donald Trump’s approach. It also mentions the upcoming meeting between Starmer and Trump at the White House.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/prime-minister-keir-starmers-article-in-the-telegraph-17-february-2025 – This link provides details on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, including the UK’s readiness to contribute to security guarantees and increase defence spending. It highlights the UK’s role in convening the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.
- https://www.itv.com/news/2025-02-17/starmer-and-eu-leaders-convene-for-emergency-summit-on-ukraine – This article corroborates Sir Keir Starmer’s call for a US ‘backstop’ to deter Russia and his commitment to Ukraine’s defence, including the potential deployment of British troops if necessary.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/02/17/ukraine-war-keir-starmer-europe-defence-spending/ – Although not directly available, similar articles in The Telegraph would discuss the UK’s stance on increasing defence spending and its role in European security, aligning with Starmer’s views on bolstering NATO and supporting Ukraine.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64632457 – This BBC article would likely cover the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and international responses, including the UK’s military aid and sanctions against Russia, providing context for Starmer’s new measures.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent events and ongoing political discussions, indicating it is current. However, without specific dates for some events, it’s challenging to confirm absolute freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
There are no direct quotes with clear attribution to specific sources or dates. The narrative includes statements attributed to political figures, but these lack specific references.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a well-known publication. However, the reliability can vary based on the topic and specific reporting.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about political figures and international relations are plausible given current geopolitical tensions. However, some details, like Trump’s upcoming meeting with Starmer, require verification.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and discusses plausible geopolitical developments. However, it lacks specific quotes with clear attribution and some details require further verification. The source is generally reliable, but the absence of concrete evidence for certain claims keeps the assessment open.
