EU leaders urge Trump to stand up to ‘bully' Putin

Starmer is warned that Britain can’t rely on US for defence

- DAVID MADDOX

Sir Keir Starmer and fellow European leaders have urged Donald Trump to stand up to the “bully” Vladimir Putin as they digest the potential consequences of the historic Republican election victory in the US.

Volodymyr Zelensky made a desperate appeal at the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest for leaders to continue their support for Ukraine in its war with Russia amid fears that Mr Trump will try to force a deal involving concessions.

It came as Sir Keir faces increasing pressure to prioritise a new post-Brexit defence pact with the EU, with concerns growing that Mr Trump may also dilute support for Nato and focus US military objectives elsewhere.

In his first term, Mr Trump made a point of threatening to withdraw support from Nato unless other member states began spending more on defence. And during the presidential campaign he quipped in one speech about welcoming a Russian invasion of one country which did not contribute enough.

To add to the tensions hanging over the summit, host Viktor Orban – Hungary’s prime minister – is Mr Trump’s closest European ally and has been described as pro-Putin, pushing to end the war by seeking compromise with Russia.

The EPC summit was the first time international leaders had gathered since Mr Trump’s remarkable victory, in which Republicans also seized control of the Senate.