British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump discussed Ukraine and Gaza in a pre-Christmas phone call on Sunday, according to a statement released by Downing Street in London. Starmer and Trump Discuss Ukraine, Gaza and the new British ambassador, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and US President Donald Trump discussed Ukraine and Gaza in a pre-Christmas phone call on Sunday, according to a statement released by Downing Street in London. Starmer also updated Trump on the selection of a new British ambassador to Washington after Peter Mandelson was fired in September over his relationship with late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The appointment of career diplomat Christian Turner “will further deepen the relationship between the two countries,” Starmer told Trump, according to a readout of the call. Turner will take over from James Roscoe, who filled the role on an interim basis. His nearly 30 years of public service include previous experience in Washington. He was first secretary in the embassy from 2002 to 2006 under ambassadors Christopher Meyer and David Manning in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the US 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 to close the British Broadcasting Corp. to sue for at least $10 billion over misleading editing in a documentary last year. The BBC has apologized but says it plans to fight the case. Starmer and Trump began their call on Sunday by reflecting on the war in Ukraine, according to the Downing Street readout. Starmer “updated on work by the Coalition of the Willing to support any peace agreement and ensure a just and lasting end to hostilities,” a spokesman said. “Turning to the Middle East, the leaders discussed the situation on the ground in Gaza.” “The leaders wished each other a Merry Christmas and looked forward to speaking again soon.” ©2025 Bloomberg LP This article was generated from an automated news agency feed with no text modifications.