Downing Street said Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with US President Donald Trump on 21 December, covering Ukraine, the situation in Gaza and UK representation in Washington. The Prime Minister also briefed on the appointment of Dr Christian Turner as the next British Ambassador to the United States, and both leaders indicated they would speak again soon.
On Ukraine, officials highlighted continuing work by the “Coalition of the Willing” to underpin any peace agreement and secure a durable end to hostilities. Earlier joint statements by the UK, France and Ukraine set out plans to provide at least €40bn of military support in 2025, strengthen air defence, and prepare a reassurance force-“Multinational Force Ukraine”-to be invited once fighting stops, supported by a UK‑French operational headquarters.
The call fits a year of intensive coordination. On 10 December the Prime Minister also spoke with President Trump, President Macron and Chancellor Merz about the US‑led peace track for Ukraine. In March, a separate readout recorded UK–US teams pushing economic and security discussions “at pace”. Both show the bilateral channel remains closely engaged on Ukraine alongside European partners.
On Gaza, the latest note records a situational update rather than new commitments. When the leaders met in Scotland on 28 July, they publicly backed an immediate ceasefire, large‑scale humanitarian access and the release of hostages-language that continues to frame UK engagement with Washington on the crisis.
The staffing update is substantive. Dr Christian Turner CMG was named on 18 December as the UK’s next Ambassador to the United States. The government said The King made the appointment following the Prime Minister’s approval of the Foreign Secretary’s recommendation, and that the UK will now request US agrément. Dr Turner’s prior roles include FCDO Political Director, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, and First Secretary at the British Embassy in Washington.
A confirmed ambassador in Washington will give the UK a senior point of contact as work continues on the proposed UK–US Economic Prosperity Deal and on coordination over Ukraine. A 30 March readout noted both sides had asked officials to advance the economic discussions quickly, while aligning on collective pressure against Russia.
For policy teams, the immediate practical step is the agrément process for Dr Turner; once cleared, ministers and officials can set out timing for his arrival and programme. On Ukraine, the coalition planning described in recent government statements provides the framework for any post‑ceasefire security support should conditions be met.
This was a short end‑of‑year readout but it signals continuity: close UK–US contact on Ukraine’s peace architecture, active tracking of Gaza, and a move to shore up the embassy leadership in Washington. Downing Street said both sides expect to speak again soon.