Streeting urges US to back Ukraine on Washington visit amid Starlink tensions

Appeal in Washington

Streeting, the UK defence secretary, addressed the recent tensions between the US and Ukraine during his visit to the American capital. He described support for Ukraine as an opportunity for the US, including a possible future defence-industrial relationship between the countries.

He also argued that supporting Kyiv served American and British national interests. US Republican support for Ukraine has been mixed, while Donald Trump has shifted his position on backing the country against Russia since returning to the White House.

Starlink disruption raises concern

The immediate strain followed a US government decision on Monday to restrict Ukraine’s military use of Starlink. Ukrainian soldiers said terminals on drones stopped working at speeds above 100mph, leaving communications inoperable.

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said a day earlier that he felt personally betrayed by Trump. The Starlink dispute threatens to set back Kyiv’s war effort.

Other issues on the agenda

Streeting and his US counterpart were also expected to discuss the security of American military bases in the UK. An Iranian threat had prompted the US to withdraw B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. They were also expected to consider whether the two countries would assist Saudi Arabia, which has faced attacks from Yemen’s Houthis.

UK pledges support for Kyiv

The British prime minister, Andy Burnham, met Zelenskyy in London on Wednesday and said the UK would stand by Ukraine. He appealed directly to Americans, saying Ukrainians were fighting for a principle rooted in American political thought: the right of a free people to choose its own destiny.

Trump has sought to pressure Ukraine to stop bombing Russian oil refineries, in an effort to lower global oil prices before the US midterm elections. He agreed earlier this month to buy diesel from Russia.