Wish you weren't Keir? Starmer endures awkward moment next to Trump at NATO summit - after President renewed jibes over Iran

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 10:31, 8 July 2026 | Updated: 10:40, 8 July 2026 Keir Starmer endured an awkward encounter with Donald Trump today at his swansong Nato summit. The PM stood silently alongside the US president for the 'family photo' at the gathering in Turkey. The leaders did not appear to exchange a word, although Mr Trump did turn round and shake the hand of another leader. Mr Trump has again thrown the military alliance into chaos by criticising countries for refusing to get involved in the Iran war.  He has reopened the bitter row over Greenland – which belongs to Nato ally Denmark – insisting it should be part of the US. Mr Trump has also threatened to withdraw all US troops from Europe and suggested he would not defend Spain.   The UK has been at the centre of his complaints, although yesterday he seemed unaware that Sir Keir remains PM despite announcing his resignation at the end of last month. Keir Starmer stood silently alongside Donald Trump for the 'family photo' at the gathering in Turkey Sir Keir and the US president were sat next to each other for the main session, and did appear to exchange some words Underlining the issues facing the globe, oil prices have jumped by more than 6 per cent after Mr Trump declared the US ceasefire with Iran is over. The price of Brent crude oil rose 6.1 per cent to $78.70 after he said 'as far as I'm concerned, it's over' in response to questions about the interim deal with Tehran. At a press call alongside Nato general-secretary Mark Rutte this morning, Mr Trump said the dispute over Greenland earlier this year had 'hurt my relationship with Nato'. Mr Rutte tried to cool the situation by insisting that the US remained committed to Nato 'no doubt', but had an 'expectation' that allies would 'equalise' their defence spending with America. The US president said he would 'relate my problems' at the leaders' session today. Arriving this morning, Sir Keir urged the alliance to show 'unity and strength'. Speaking to reporters on arrival at the presidential palace in Ankara, the PM said the gathering would prove to be 'very important' against the background of the Ukraine war and the US conflict with Iran. He said: 'It's very important that, as leaders, we show the unity and the strength of Nato at a time like this, and that's what we'll do at this summit here this morning.' Sir Keir is making his swansong on the world stage after announcing his resignation at the end of last month