Starmer Lands In South Africa As G20 Convenes Without Trump

The prime minister has touched down in Johannesburg, where global leaders are gathering for this year’s G20 summit.

Despite the event drawing representatives from the world’s major economies, Donald Trump will not be present, citing widely debunked assertions that white citizens in South Africa are facing persecution.

Sir Keir Starmer — often mocked by opponents as “never here Keir” due to his frequent diplomatic travel — has argued that these international engagements help champion opportunities for British industries overseas.

Officials say the trip will also serve as a platform to coordinate with partners on bolstering backing for Ukraine.

Ahead of the summit, Sir Keir joined French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which they reviewed a peace proposal supported by the United States.

On X, Zelensky wrote: “We value the efforts of the United States, President Trump, and his team aimed at ending this war. We are working on the document prepared by the American side. This must be a plan that ensures a real and dignified peace.”

He added that the leaders were “coordinating closely to make sure that the principled stances are taken into account”.

However, growing anxiety surrounds parts of the proposal, which seem to align closely with several demands put forward by Russia.

According to details circulating widely, the draft agreement would require Ukraine to surrender key areas of Donetsk still under its control, reduce the size of its military, and forgo any plans to join NATO — concessions Ukrainian officials have long rejected.

Before the summit begins, Sir Keir will tour a rail depot in Johannesburg where trains manufactured in Derby are in service, and he is expected to unveil a new partnership under which the UK will “provide strategic advice and consultancy services” to the South African rail sector.

The project will be executed by a government-owned organisation called Crossrail International.

A similar arrangement has also been reached with Vietnam.

Government aides say Africa represents a significant commercial opportunity for Britain, noting that half of the continent’s population is under 20 and that it is projected to account for more than a quarter of the world’s population by 2050.

“I will focus on the deals we can do, the business we can do, with our partner countries and make sure that the work we do internationally is impacting directly at home,” he told reporters during the flight.

“If you want to deal with the cost of living and make people better off with good secure jobs, investment from G20 partners and allies is really important,” he added.

Trump plans to boycott the summit, having labelled it a “total disgrace” online while repeating his claim that white Afrikaners are being targeted.

His administration has already made white South Africans eligible for refugee status in the United States and granted them priority over other applicants.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to the US absence by saying it was “their loss” and commented that “boycott politics doesn’t work”.

No political party in South Africa — including those representing Afrikaners or the wider white population — has alleged that genocide is taking place in the country.