Donald Trump, the President of the United States, and Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, held a summit at the White House on the 27th (local time). They discussed topics including solutions to end the war in Ukraine and the signing of a trade agreement.
The two leaders agreed on the need for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine but showed differences in opinion on ensuring Ukraine’s security to prevent further Russian invasions.
President Trump expressed trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that the mineral agreement to be signed with Ukraine on the 28th would serve as a safety mechanism. In contrast, Prime Minister Starmer voiced concerns that the peace achieved should not reward Russia as an aggressor.
In a joint press conference following the summit, President Trump commented on the progress of the Ukraine peace talks, stating, “We have made significant progress and are moving very quickly. If it doesn’t happen quickly, it might not happen at all.”
He announced that together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, they planned to sign a mineral agreement between the US and Ukraine on the morning of the 28th. He described it as a historic agreement establishing the US as a key partner in the development of Ukraine’s minerals, rare earths, oil, and gas, where “we will be on the ground and selling.”
During the summit remarks, President Trump asserted that the mineral agreement would act as a “backstop” for Ukraine’s security, stating, “No one will mess around if we are there.” However, it is reported that the agreement does not include specific details on security guarantees.
He added that after the mineral agreement, the next step would be achieving a ceasefire that lays the foundation for a long-term peace agreement to restore stability in Eastern Europe.
Regarding the potential for Russia to break the peace agreement post-Ukraine war, Trump stated, “I believe that he (President Vladimir Putin) will keep his promise.”
Prime Minister Starmer expressed a positive outlook toward President Trump’s leadership in the Ukraine peace talks but emphasized, “Our focus is on permanently ending the barbaric war in Ukraine.”
He added that “doing it right” is crucial, referencing the lesson from World War II that peace must be earned, indicating that rewarding an aggressor is unacceptable. “Today, we discussed a robust and fair peace plan built on strength, to prevent Putin from further invasions,” he emphasized.
Prime Minister Starmer confirmed the UK’s readiness to support the agreement by stationing troops and aircraft in Ukraine and reaffirmed participation in the post-war European peacekeeping initiative. He also introduced plans for a Ukraine-related meeting with 18 European countries in attendance, scheduled for the 2nd of next month.
Responding to questions about NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause and concerns over European NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine possibly triggering this clause due to Russian attacks, Trump asserted his support for Article 5 while indicating such situations would not occur, as “any peace agreement will be long-lasting.”
At the meeting’s outset, when asked by the press how one leader seems to trust President Putin while the other does not, Trump used the phrase “trust, but verify,” a phrase made popular by President Ronald Reagan during the Cold War, to describe the cautious approach.
Starmer, when asked if he believes President Putin will keep his promises, avoided a direct answer by reiterating, “My position is well known,” emphasizing that any agreement must be permanent.
During the summit, Trump reiterated the need for NATO member countries, including the UK, to increase their defense budgets to 4-5% of GDP. Prime Minister Starmer explained the UK’s commitment to increasing its defense spending, saying, “The UK is all in.”
Both President Trump and Prime Minister Starmer also discussed the trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom.
The UK has been working towards a separate trade agreement with the US following its exit from the European Union (EU).
President Trump stated, “We will have a trade agreement that is good for both countries.”
Responding to whether Prime Minister Starmer persuaded him not to impose tariffs on the UK, Trump acknowledged, “He tried and made efforts,” adding, “We can reach an agreement that eliminates the need for tariffs.”
Prime Minister Starmer emphasized that the economic relationship between the two countries is “not only strong but also reciprocal, fair, and balanced.”
He further noted, “Today, we agreed to initiate efforts on a new economic agreement centered around advanced technologies,” highlighting the necessity of such agreements between the two countries concerning areas like artificial intelligence (AI).