Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is to meet US President Donald Trump in the White House today to set out his plan for peace in Ukraine.

Sir Keir wants European nations, including the UK, to send troops to Ukraine once the current war with Russia is over, to act as peacekeepers and deter any further Russian aggression.

He also wants the US to provide a military “backstop”, which is thought to involve US planes and missiles in eastern Europe that could protect European troops in Ukraine if needed.

But Donald Trump has already suggested he is reluctant to do this.

Speaking hours before Sir Keir was due to arrive in Washington, the US President said: “I’m not going to make security guarantees beyond very much,” Trump told reporters as he hosted his first cabinet meeting of his second term.

“We’re going to have Europe do that because… we’re talking about Europe is their next door neighbour, but we’re making sure everything goes well.”

However Mr Trump also suggested that a planned deal giving the US access to Ukrainian mineral wealth would provide some protection for Ukraine.

“We will be on the land and that way there is going to be automatic security because nobody is going to be messing around with our people when we are there,” Mr Trump said.

Sir Keir said: “The world is becoming ever more dangerous, and it is more important than ever that we are united with our allies.

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“A stable economy, secure borders and national security are the foundations of my Plan for Change, and the US-UK relationship is integral to delivering them. These principles will be at the heart of discussions with President Trump today.

“There are huge opportunities for us to deepen our special relationship, deliver growth and security, and improve the lives of working people in both our great nations.”

The Prime Minister will join President Trump at the White House today, where he will be greeted by the President before signing the White House Guest Book and a tete-a-tete at the Oval Office. This will be followed by a bilateral lunch, and a joint press conference. He will also carry out a defence-focused visit.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who will join the Prime Minister’s programme at the White House.

He will be clear that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine, without Ukraine and will recognise the need for Europe to play its part on global defence and step up for the good of collective European security, Downing Street says.