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Keir Starmer dismisses SNP call to axe Donald Trump state visit | Global News Avenue

Keir Starmer dismisses SNP call to axe Donald Trump state visit

Mary McCaugh

BBC Scotland News

“I won’t be displaced by SNP comments because of Trump’s visit’-Starmer

The Prime Minister dismissed the SNP call for an unprecedented second state visit after a showdown with Ukrainian President Zelensky.

Trump accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War III” at the White House on Friday, a warm exchange in which Scotland’s first minister was described as “deeply troubled.”

John Swinney told the BBC that he did not see how the king’s state visit to the U.S. president continued on Thursday unless he “gets completely with us” to protect Ukraine.

However, Starmer, who chaired a summit of European leaders, including Zelensky, accused the SNP of using rhetoric and said he would not be distracted.

Getty Images Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote to Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Trump is wearing a blue suit, a white shirt and a purple tie. Starmer wore a black suit, a white shirt and a purple tie.Getty Images

Prime Minister uses his visit to the White House to submit a second state visit to Donald Trump

Afterwards, many SNP lawmakers criticized the Prime Minister’s relationship with Trump on social media, including Stephen Flynn, the party’s Westminster leader, said Steamer said that Steamer “had better succumb to his knees and revoke his proposal for state visits.”

Before being warmly welcomed on Downing Street on Saturday, SNP diplomatic spokesman Stephen Gethins accused the Prime Minister of staying silent about what he said was “disappointing”.

After the White House exchange, Starmer called Trump and Zelensky and later reiterated Britain’s support for Ukraine, saying: “As long as we take Ukraine, we stand with Ukraine.”

exist Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg Plan, Starmer said: “I’ve seen people step up their speech and take Twitter and say what they’re going to do – good for them, and I’m not very interested in that.

“I’m on the actual steps, what bridge construction I can do, what relationships I can patch and take us to lasting peace in Europe.

“I’m not going to be diverted by the SNP or other people trying to strengthen the speech without having to really appreciate what the most important thing is here, we’re talking about peace in Europe.”

Watch all: Extraordinary exchange between Zelensky, Vance and Trump

Starmer used his US visit to present a letter from the King to Trump, holding a first meeting in Scotland – a meeting where Trump owns two golf courses – to discuss the logistics of the second state visit.

Traditionally, the second U.S. president usually did not provide state visits, but was invited to have tea or lunch with the monarch, usually in Windsor Castle.

John Swinney said his tone was different from the SNP MP, who welcomed the role played by the Prime Minister and supported him in trying to find a way in difficult situations.

Trump’s visit cannot be guaranteed without guarantees Ukraine – Sweeney

Speech to the BBC Sunday performancehe said: “I think the Prime Minister is absolutely right to try to find a way forward with the United States because the position on Friday night was… very disturbing to watch.

“Seeing a brave leader of a brave country is being blamed in a way that President Zelensky is totally unacceptable.”

But he added that if Trump was “not our staunch ally in protecting Ukraine’s future,” he couldn’t see how state-owned visits would continue.

He said: “In my opinion, this is definitely any basic requirement for a state visit to the President of the United States – he is absolutely all-round with us in protecting Ukraine and ensuring its independence.

“If we don’t do that, then I think we are undermining the future of Western democracy.”

John Swinney has previously said he will use Trump’s affinity to Scotland Avoid tariffs on imports Go to the United States, especially on Scotch.

He publicly supported Democratic candidate Harris ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Zelensky had hoped to hold active talks with Trump during his visit, including signing a mineral agreement, which would give the United States a real stake in the future of his country, if not a thorough security guarantee.

Instead, he faces an extraordinary dress before the world media, with Trump and his vice president JD Vance asking him to express his gratitude for years of support from the United States.

The Ukrainian president has withdrawn the advice of his stronger partner that he should work harder to agree to a ceasefire with Vladimir Putin. They replied that he was “disrespectful”.

After leaving Zelensky said Ukraine was “prepared to sign a mineral agreement” but continued to call for U.S. security assurances.

The exchange prompted a series of responses between European leaders and French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who reiterated their support for Ukraine.

BBC Scottish Political Correspondent Phil Sim's sideline strap

Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney differed in their state visit to Donald Trump.

But that’s the only point of debate between this global issue.

Surprisingly, the first minister went out of his way to repeatedly welcome Sir Kiel’s attitude in the Ukrainian war and said he was “absolutely right” and constantly seeking agreements with the United States.

If Sir Kyle and Sir Trump are very different roles, then the Prime Minister has more in common with Mr. Sweeney.

They are all serious men, more interested in this than optics.

Mr. Swinney kept cracking down on Stephen Flynn’s famous social media posts, but he was clear in supporting Sir Keir’s efforts to build bridges between Western allies.

While the SNP leader is always keen to take advantage of any domestic differences in his electoral competitors among labor, he made it clear that they were on the same team on the international stage.

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