Donald Trump puts the world order in jeopardy as Keir Starmer walks dangerous tightrope

Before Christmas in 1984, Margaret Thatcher famously said she liked Mikhail Gorbachev and believed they could work together. Just a few months later, Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union.

Alongside US President Ronald Reagan, they played a key role in ending the Cold War. By the end of the 1980s, the Berlin Wall had fallen, the Soviet Union had collapsed, and Ukraine became independent. Now, 40 years later, Keir Starmer finds himself in a similar but more complicated position.

Like Thatcher, the current UK Prime Minister is working with a world leader to try and maintain global stability. But instead of a Russian leader, Starmer is dealing with Donald Trump.

Trump’s presidency, along with his ties to Vladimir Putin, has shaken the international order that has existed since 1945. Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are now trying to ensure the US remains committed to European security, especially concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine.

NATO’s future is uncertain, especially after the US sided with Russia and North Korea in a United Nations vote on Ukraine. A recent heated argument in the White House between Trump, his Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the shifting political landscape.

After his election win, Trump immediately took action, signing multiple executive orders. However, his phone call with Putin on February 12 shocked the world, as he signaled a willingness to rebuild ties with Russia.

Putin became isolated after invading Ukraine in 2022, facing international sanctions and a war crimes arrest warrant. Former President Joe Biden had refused to communicate with him, condemning Putin as a dictator.

But in 2025, Trump announced he wanted to work closely with Putin to end the war, even suggesting they visit each other’s countries. Putin invited Trump to Moscow, a move that would mark a major change in US-Russia relations.

Putin sees this as a victory, as he now has direct negotiations with the US. However, his demands remain high—he wants to keep all occupied Ukrainian land, prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, and have Western sanctions lifted.

The relationship between Trump and Zelensky has deteriorated. Initially, Zelensky congratulated Trump on his election, but after Trump’s call with Putin, Zelensky accused him of believing Russian propaganda. Trump then called Zelensky a dictator.

Macron and Starmer have tried to improve relations with Trump. Starmer even invited him to the UK for a second state visit, hoping to build trust. After meeting Trump, the UK government was hopeful, but things quickly fell apart. The next day, Trump and Vance had another heated argument with Zelensky, warning that refusing a peace deal could lead to World War 3.

As tensions rose, Zelensky visited London for an emergency meeting with European leaders. Starmer publicly reassured him that Britain supports Ukraine. However, Trump responded by pausing military aid to Ukraine and threatening to expel 240,000 Ukrainian refugees from the US.

Zelensky later attempted to rebuild ties, thanking the US for its past support and saying he was willing to work with Trump for peace. Starmer also urged him to repair relations with the US for Ukraine’s survival.

The rapid changes in Washington have left Europe struggling to react. European leaders have been making emergency calls, holding meetings, and discussing security measures. NATO and the European Union are worried, as Russia seems determined to shift the balance of power in Europe.

Germany’s expected future leader, Friedrich Merz, warned that the US no longer appears to care about Europe’s security. Starmer is now pushing for a peace plan, hoping to unite 20 countries in supporting Ukraine.

Trump, however, sees everything as a business deal. He wants access to Ukraine’s resources and expects NATO countries to increase their defense spending. The US has long been Europe’s security backbone, but if Trump withdraws support, countries like Germany could be left vulnerable to Russia.

If the UK and France manage to form a coalition to keep peace in Ukraine, it could strain European armies and expose weaknesses in NATO. This could lead to major changes in global politics, not just for NATO and the UN, but also in borders and trade policies.

Trump has also suggested changes to trade, threatening tariffs on the EU, China, Canada, and Mexico, which could spark a trade war. The UK, because of Brexit and its relationship with the US, might be in a better position, but experts warn that the US prioritizes its own interests.

Ultimately, Trump, Starmer, and Macron must find a way to balance their own goals while keeping global stability in mind.