Starmer's UK faces its first foreign policy test

Following the July ousting of the Conservative government by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a new chapter in British politics has begun, along with a reset in relations with the European Union. However, Britain's fraught dealings with Russia remain unchanged, and tensions have recently escalated.

Recent events have seen a spike in tensions between London and Moscow due to indications that the United States, spurred by Britain, is moving toward allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied missiles to strike military targets deep within Russia's territory. This development has led to a war of words between Prime Minister Starmer and President Putin, with Russia expelling six British diplomats in response.

A Challenge for Prime Minister Starmer

The issue of missiles has presented the first major foreign policy challenge for Prime Minister Starmer, with significant security implications for all of Europe. As Starmer met with President Biden in Washington, the escalating Russia-UK tensions loomed large, testing Starmer's diplomatic acumen on the global stage.

Britain's proactive diplomatic efforts have positioned it at the forefront of a broader European campaign to garner support for Ukraine. This is particularly significant given the current political uncertainty in the United States, which could potentially curtail its future involvement in thwarting an advancing Russia.

Overall, the evolving landscape of UK-Russia relations, particularly in the context of Western support for Ukraine, presents a complex challenge for Prime Minister Starmer and has far-reaching implications for Europe as a whole.