Starmer Seeks to Charm Trump at G7 Summit

At the G7 summit, Keir Starmer is positioning himself to gain favor with Donald Trump, aiming to secure more support for Ukraine. His strategy hinges on building a personal relationship, crucial in Trump’s view of international relations.

Building a Personal Connection

A U.K. government official stated that recent U.K. commitments to boost defense spending put Starmer in an advantageous position. This could enable him to persuade Trump to further support Ukraine, acting as a bridge to other leaders at the G7. They added, “It’s intensely personal with Trump. He likes to make deals one-on-one and so that personal relationship is key.”

However, Starmer is not the sole European leader vying for this role.

The Competition

Emmanuel Macron, the French President, has been interacting with Trump for nearly a decade, viewing himself as Europe’s senior political figure. Meanwhile, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni aligns herself ideologically with Trump, with strong ties to his MAGA supporters.

John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, observed that Trump sees international relations through the lens of personal relationships. He noted, “If you go back to 2017, 2018, 2019, the thing everybody watched was the Macron-Trump handshake.”

According to a recent report, over $75 billion in military aid has been pledged to Ukraine by various countries (Council on Foreign Relations, 2025).

Personal Dynamics

The success of Starmer’s approach depends on his ability to cultivate a close relationship with Trump, a tactic that other European leaders are also pursuing. The dynamics between these leaders and Trump will be pivotal in shaping the G7’s stance on key issues.