Keir Starmer returned home buoyed by a positive meeting with Donald Trump but hours later Ukraine peace talks were hanging in the balance after ugly scenes in the Oval Office

Donald Trump has seemingly rejected Sir Keir Starmer's request before crunch talks between the 47th President and Prime Minister even begin at the White House later today. The Prime Minister is hoping Trump leads a “US backstop” to protect Europe from Russian aggression.

The prime minister wants to keep everyone happy. He has been loath to criticize Trump, has warmed up Britain’s post-Brexit partnership with the European Union, avowedly backed Kyiv and thawed ties with China. At a time of geopolitical upheaval, he is attempting to squeeze Britain into an impossibly tight Venn diagram.