U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that a minerals deal with Ukraine serves as the security guarantee Kyiv requires against Russia, dismissing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's call for a commitment of U.S. military support.
During their first meeting at the White House since Trump took office, Starmer praised the president, asserting that peace in Ukraine was only possible due to Trump's efforts.
Despite the cordial remarks, underlying tensions between the allies persisted. These include transatlantic frictions over U.S.-Russia negotiations aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Trump's threats of imposing tariffs.
Prior to the meeting, Starmer emphasized that long-term peace in Ukraine is unattainable without firm U.S. security guarantees. Trump, however, downplayed this by highlighting the economic partnership, stating, \"We are a backstop because we'll be over there, we'll be working. We're going to have a lot of people over there.\"
When questioned about trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump responded, \"Trust and verify,\" echoing former President Ronald Reagan's stance on negotiations with the Soviet Union.
Trump noted that talks to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict were progressing rapidly, adding, \"It will either be fairly soon, or it won't be at all.\" Meanwhile, Starmer cautioned against a rushed peace deal, stressing the need for stability in Europe and stating, \"We have to get it right. It can't be peace that rewards the aggressor.\"
Starmer is the latest European leader to meet with Trump, following French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to the White House on Monday, which also highlighted significant differences over the conflict.
Starmer has indicated that Britain will increase defense spending and reassured Trump that Europe will provide support and security guarantees to Kyiv if peace talks with Russia prove successful.
On Thursday, Trump reiterated the United States' longstanding commitment to the mutual defense of NATO nations, even if European peacekeepers are stationed in Ukraine, stating, \"I support it. I don't think we're going to have any reason for it.\"
Starmer expressed openness to British troops providing security guarantees to Ukraine alongside other European nations, provided the right conditions are met.
The two leaders also discussed a bilateral trade agreement. A comprehensive free trade deal has been elusive since Trump's 2017-2021 term, but the U.S. president indicated that an agreement could be reached \"very shortly.\"
In response to a reporter's inquiry about whether Starmer influenced him to abandon tariff threats on Britain, Trump responded, \"He tried. He was working hard, I'll tell you that.\" He added, \"We could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn't be necessary. We'll see.\"
(With input from Reuters)
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Trump dismisses Starmer's call for U.S. military guarantees in Ukraine
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