U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized a minerals deal with Ukraine as Kyiv’s key security guarantee, downplaying British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s push for firm U.S. military support. During their first White House meeting, Starmer credited Trump for progress toward peace in Ukraine while inviting him for a state visit on behalf of King Charles, which Trump accepted.
Trump dismissed the need for direct security commitments, instead highlighting economic cooperation, saying, “We’ll be working over there.” Asked about trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump echoed Ronald Reagan’s “trust but verify” approach and suggested a peace deal could be imminent. Starmer, however, warned against any agreement that “rewards the aggressor.”
Trump’s stance has unsettled European allies, especially after he labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy a “dictator” before later softening his tone. Zelenskiy is set to visit Washington to finalize a rare earth minerals deal with Trump, a move the U.S. president sees as financial compensation for past aid to Kyiv.
Starmer reassured Trump of Europe’s defense commitment to Ukraine, signaling increased U.K. military spending. Trump reaffirmed NATO’s collective defense but downplayed the need for European peacekeepers in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Putin warned Western nations against disrupting Russia-U.S. relations.
Trump and Starmer also discussed trade, with Trump signaling optimism about a potential U.S.-U.K. trade deal, though he did not commit to lifting tariff threats. U.S. Vice President JD Vance raised concerns over free speech restrictions affecting American tech firms in Britain, a topic Starmer carefully navigated.
Trump, known for breaking diplomatic norms, has also proposed controversial trade tariffs and policies. Despite their differences, both leaders maintained a diplomatic tone, with Trump acknowledging Starmer as a “tough negotiator.”