The prime minister has rejected any suggestion that the UK must choose between closer ties with the US or the European Union, when Donald Trump returns to the White House. Sir Keir Starmer said his government would "never turn away" from its partnership with the US, and also promised to build stronger bonds with Europe. He also stressed the world faced "dangerous times", saying stability was essential for growth, and the UK must continue to back Ukraine against Russia. There’s long been speculation the US president-elect may launch a trade war against Europe and reduce support for Ukraine, even Nato. In such circumstances, analysts suggest Britain would come under pressure to take sides. Last month, a close ally of Donald Trump said Britain would have to choose between the US and UK's "special relationship" and closer ties to the EU - which Trump describes as a "mini China". Stephen Moore told the BBC that if the UK moved "towards more of the American model of economic freedom... it would spur the Trump administration’s willingness to the free trade agreement with the UK". Reflecting on Sir Keir's speech, Sir David Manning, former UK ambassador to the US, said the prime minister had the "right approach" but warned it would not be "easy". "It's going to be a question of steering our interests between the two poles," he told the BBC's Today Programme. But he said it was "no good pretending to see eye to eye" on issues such as Ukraine and the Middle East, saying the UK will have to respond to what Trump imposes.