Keir Starmer has ‘very tough hand’ to play in Trump meeting, John Kerry warns - Former British ambassador to the US also warns PM that trip to Washington will be ‘very challenging’

As the Prime Minister heads to Washington for difficult talks, a former Trump official advises Starmer to make sure he takes him a good present

Macron beats Starmer in race to meet Trump at White House despite 'Special Relationship' and US-EU rifts - The French leader has warned Trump not to be ‘weak’ in talks with Putin

A senior government source says the PM is "pushing the system" to get to a stronger position on spending, but in recent days it's suggested the Treasury's still asking about the spending consequences. The dilemma is obvious: public money is tight as a drum, and Downing Street doesn't want to take cash from the NHS or other priorities at home.

John Kerry says says chances ‘of making peace in Ukraine are real’ as PM is expected to announce new military aid for Ukraine

But the risks of the prime minister's trip are huge. The famously thin-skinned president could take offence at Sir Keir's outright contradiction of his claim that Zelensky is a dictator. He could be irritated by Sir Keir's insistence that any European reassurance force deployed to Ukraine must have a US "backstop", expected in the form of aircover.

It's a big week for Sir Keir Starmer as he prepares to head off to the White House for his first meeting with Donald Trump as president. It's a high stakes trip for the PM at a moment of growing division between the US and Europe.

The prime minister will have to tread a fine diplomatic line when he visits the White House on Thursday.

Sir Keir Starmer will set out the timeline for a major defence spending boost and give Donald Trump an invitation for a state visit when he visits Washington next week, it has emerged. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Prime Minister insisted Kyiv’s voice must be at the heart of any peace negotiations in a call on Saturday.