US President Donald Trump meets British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House
Washington, DC: On Thursday afternoon, US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Kevin Starmer met at the White House.
Starmer said that his nation is prepared to send “boots on the ground” to back a peace Ukraine on his first trip to Washington as prime minister. “I’m working closely with other European leaders on this, and I’m clear that the UK is ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air to support a deal, working together with our allies, because that is the only way that peace will last,” Starner said.
Trump said that he believes the Russia-Ukraine battle is coming to an end and that a solution would “either be fairly soon or it won’t be at all.”
Trump said in his opening statement that he is “really going to get us into that country” with his intention to sign a rare earth minerals contract with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. Trump’s opinions about the Ukrainian president certainly seemed to have softened.
A reporter questioned Trump on his use of the term “dictator,” to which the US president responded, “Did I say that? It’s unbelievable that I would say that.
Additionally, Trump seems to have changed his stance about Zelensky, calling him “very brave” and stating that they got along “really well.” Trump said that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin would honor whatever peace deal they come to.
When Trump referred to Zelensky as a “dictator” last week, it echoed Russian allegations on the postponed elections in Kyiv.
The prime minister of the United Kingdom also said that the two governments would endeavor to strike an economic agreement between them. Trump said that Starmer made a concerted effort to convince him against levying tariffs on UK products.
Regarding Starmer, Trump said, “He earned whatever the hell they pay him over there.” A “great chance” exists, according to Trump, that they may come to a trade agreement “where tariffs wouldn’t be necessary.”
By stating that he would probably endorse a proposal for the UK to hand up sovereignty of the vital Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius and then lease them back to retain control over a vital airfield that the US and the UK use, Trump also gave Starmer an early advantage.
Trump read a letter from King Charles in real time when Starmer handed it to him.
Regarding the British monarch, Trump described him as a “beautiful man and a wonderful man” and promised to go to the UK in the “near future.” King Charles invited him on a state visit, which he accepted.
“It’s a great honor to have Prime Minister Starmer in the Oval Office,” Trump said. He is a unique individual, and the location is really unique. Additionally, the United Kingdom is a fantastic nation that I am well acquainted with. I spend a lot of time there. Additionally, I’m heading there, and we anticipate seeing one another soon. We’ll make the announcement. Trump informed reporters.
