Editorial 27.02.2025
Most of Thursday’s front pages lead on the prime minister’s upcoming trip to Washington, where he is set to double down on his declaration that negotiations over Ukraine should involve Ukraine. He will also tell the president of the US that Russia will strike Ukraine again unless the US provides ongoing security support.
European leaders are working closely together to try to dissuade Donald Trump from agreeing on a ceasefire deal that favours Russia.
PM Keir Starmer is set to meet Trump in Washington on Thursday.
Elsewhere, Trump’s threat of a 25% tariff on European goods, including cars, also makes the front pages, which looks ahead as to whether the US and EU are heading into a trade war.
Princess Kate is pictured on several papers this morning, as the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Wales.
Liverpool victory & Lionesses triumph at Wembley
The back pages are dominated by last night’s Premier League action as Liverpool go 13 points clear at the top of the table, Manchester United fought back to beat Ipswich, Manchester City beat Spurs 1-0 and Arsenal’s stalemate seems them at risk of slipping out the top four.
The Lionesses beat Spain 1-0 at Wembley in last night’s Nations League.
Trump-Starmer meeting on Thursday to discuss Ukraine
‘Starmer will tell Trump that ongoing US support is needed for Ukraine,’ reports the Mirror.
“He’ll strike again,” is the headline for the Mirror, which leads with the prime minister’s warning to the US president. The paper says Starmer will tell Trump that history could repeat itself unless the US provides ongoing security support.
‘PM to offer British troops to serve as peacekeeping role,’ notes The Times.
The Times says the PM will appeal to Trump to “hold back” Russia. The paper says during Starmer’s trip to Washington he will seek out a US “backstop” in exchange for committing UK troops to serve alongside other European militaries as part of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine. But the paper notes Trump isn’t keen on such an arrangement, and US support would be limited.
‘PM ready to confront Trump over fears Russia will invade Ukraine again in future,’ says The Telegraph.
The Telegraph says the prime minister is ready to “confront” Trump and says he will relay his fears that Vladimir Putin would seek to invade Ukraine again in the future if arrangements are not put in place now.
“The most precarious moment for European stability in decades,” says The Guardian.
The Guardian also previews the talks between Trump and Starmer. It says negotiations over Ukraine could prove to be “critical” to ensuring a peace deal which protects Europe’s security. The paper calls it “the most precarious moment for European stability in decades.”
‘PM to use state visit as leverage with Trump,’ says the i.
The i newspaper reports that Keir Starmer is planning to use the prospect of a state visit with King Charles as leverage with Trump. The paper says he will suggest a redd carpet could be rolled out – as it was in 2019 – as he seeks to move Trump closer to the European position regarding Ukraine.
‘Historic White House summit,’ says the Mail.
The Daily Mail calls it a “historic White House summit” and says the talks will also include the UK’s plans to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The Sun calls on Trump to veto the “inexplicable and insane deal”. The Telegraph says the American officials will bring up concerns about a “Chinese mega-embassy” planned for London.