Ed Davey urges Starmer to ‘Trump-proof’ UK with closer European ties

We can’t simply abandon Ukraine to Putin just because Trump’s in power,

Davey said

With the worry of tariffs and trade wars, this couldn’t be more urgent for our economy,

he said

I get the need for pragmatism, and I want the government to put the national interest first in dealing with President Trump. That means being really strong in our diplomacy to argue for the positions that the country takes on security and trade,

he said

Is it realistic to expect a complete victory for Ukraine, the complete ejection of Russia from Ukrainian territory? And if it’s not, you know, it may suit our vanity in the West to say ‘plucky Ukrainians’, [but] it’s not our children who are dying,

the former chancellor said

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on his election as president of the United States of America.”

Speaking at the Valdai discussion club in Sochi on Thursday, he said

I do not know what is going to happen now. I have no clue."

The 72-year-old Kremlin chief gave just one note of caution

What was said about the desire to restore relations with Russia, to bring about the end of the Ukrainian crisis, in my opinion this deserves attention at least."

Referring to Trump's remarks during the election campaign about Ukraine and Russia, he said

He behaved, in my opinion, in a very correct way, courageously, like a real man."

He added

This would be a capitulation to Putin rewarding him for his war crimes

Reacting to the Trump peace plan for Ukraine, former British Army commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said

Any forced peace that would give Russia a veneer of winning territory would potentially stimulate World War Three.

Former UK military intelligence officer Philip Ingram added