The UK hopes to act as a bridge between Europe and Donald Trump’s US, the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, has said before what could be a crucial week of diplomacy in deciding Ukraine’s future.
With Keir Starmer expected to travel to Paris on Monday for an emergency summit of European leaders, in advance of a possible trip to Washington the following week, Reynolds said the UK had still not given up on persuading the US to allow Ukraine to join Nato.
The US had a reasonable point in asking European nations to contribute more in defence spending towards the protection of Europe, Reynolds told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
“So that is how Europe has to respond,” he said. “I believe we in the UK can play a part, as that bridge between the US and Europe as we adjust to this new era – and it certainly is a new era.
“But I think it would be wrong to portray this as some sort of fundamental breach. There is still a great deal of common ground between the US and its European allies. We must play our part in strengthening that.”
It’s not a big deal. People like to rant on the internet when they are frustrated or angry.
I can see how my comment could be interpreted as “EU = US”. It’s not the sentiment I intended at all.
I meant that the UK is negotiating from a weaker position with both sides