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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump discussed Ukraine and Gaza during a pre-Christmas phone call on Sunday, according to a statement issued by Downing Street in London.
Starmer also updated Trump on his choice of a new British ambassador to Washington, after Peter Mandelson was fired in September over ties to the late disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to a readout of the call, Starmer told Trump the appointment of career diplomat Christian Turner would “further deepen the relationship between the two countries.”
Turner replaces James Roscoe, who has served in the role on an interim basis. His nearly 30 years of government service includes previous experience in Washington. He was First Secretary at the Embassy from 2002 to 2006 under Ambassadors Christopher Meyer and David Manning following the terrorist attacks on the US on September 11, 2001, when George W. Bush was President.
Starmer’s efforts to keep Trump close are being tested by tariffs on British steel, a stalled deal on technology cooperation and Trump’s decision last year to sue British Broadcasting Corp. for at least $10 billion over misleading editing in a documentary. The BBC has apologized but says it plans to fight the case.
Starmer and Trump began their talks on Sunday by considering the war in Ukraine, according to the Downing Street readout.
Starmer “updated the coalition on its work to support any peace agreement and ensure a just and permanent end to hostilities,” a spokesman said. “Turning to the Middle East, leaders discuss situation on the ground in Gaza.”
“The leaders wished each other a Merry Christmas and look forward to speaking again soon.”
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without any modifications to the text.
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