International Diplomatic Engagements
Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer engaged in a phone conversation on Wednesday. Separately, the UK Prime Minister and US President Trump also discussed recent international developments.
Key Developments in UK-US Relations
The period has been marked by three significant developments influencing UK-US relations:
- Greenland: The UK and European allies expressed public skepticism regarding American proposals concerning Greenland.
- Venezuela: The British government maintained a circumspect position on US actions in Venezuela. While the Prime Minister acknowledged the objective of removing President Maduro, a public stance on the legality of the methods employed was not taken.
- Ship Seizure: The UK provided assistance to the US in the seizure of a vessel in the North Atlantic.
The Marinera Ship Seizure Operation
On Wednesday morning, following approximately a week of planning, the UK supported a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged ship identified as the Marinera. The rationale provided for this action cited the ship's alleged connections to Venezuela, Iran, and Russia.
Defence Secretary John Healey stated that ships like the Marinera contribute to financing Russia's conflict in Ukraine. He informed Members of Parliament (MPs) that the UK's involvement complied with international law, as the vessel was in breach of sanctions imposed on Iran. Healey noted that the Marinera, sanctioned by the US since 2024, had transported 7.3 million barrels of oil on behalf of Iran. He further asserted that Iran's evasion of sanctions financed groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Yemen's Houthis. Healey remarked that the ship's adoption of the Russian flag while attempting to evade capture was notable. The UK maintains its commitment to deterring, disrupting, and degrading the Russian 'shadow fleet' as a component of its support for Ukraine.
UK's Operational Support:
The UK's support for the seizure operation encompassed three main areas:
- Permission for UK airbases to be utilized before and after the operation.
- Provision of the support vessel RFA Tideforce, which possesses refuelling capabilities, a helipad, and a medical unit, to assist American forces.
- Royal Air Force planes offering surveillance support.
Discussion on Potential UK Troop Deployment to Ukraine
Defence Secretary Healey also addressed the possibility of deploying British troops to Ukraine subsequent to a potential peace agreement. While there is widespread parliamentary support for the UK's assistance to Kyiv, MPs raised questions regarding the specifics of any military deployment, including troop numbers, duration, and precise roles. Ministers have indicated that a debate and vote in the House of Commons will precede any decision on deployment.