Downing Street detailed a phone conversation Friday between Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump, in which the British leader emphasized the necessity of satellite connectivity for Ukrainian forces. Burnham told Trump that Ukraine must have full access to Starlink to defend itself against Russia’s invasion, a request that comes as Elon Musk has renewed criticisms of the Ukrainian government.
The leaders also discussed the Sea Lion project in the Falkland Islands, nuclear power cooperation, and the approval of the Jackdaw North Sea oil project. While Trump characterized discussions on the wars in Ukraine and Iran as “very light,” British officials have privately pressed for diplomacy with Tehran to avoid a US military strike and criticized Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports. The call also touched on the UK’s support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks.