UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a meeting with US President Donald Trump on Thursday to discuss a long-term peace structure for Ukraine, making it clear that any solution must not favor the aggressor.
At a combined press conference during their bilateral meetings, Starmer referred to the historic Anglo-American alliance that helped secure the victory in Europe in World War II. He complimented what he said was Trump's "deep and personal commitment to bringing peace and stopping the killing in Ukraine."
Speaking to the media, Starmer said, ". We're dedicated to ending the war in Ukraine. I support your dedication to ending the fighting and to stopping the killing. It can't be peace which benefits the bully or which offers encouragement to bullies like the Iranian regime. History has got to be with the peacemaker, not with the occupier."
A coordinated approach he detailed, he went on, "We outlined a plan today.". that Ukraine will assist in shaping, with strength behind it, to prevent Putin from returning for more. I'm in close consultation with other European leaders, and I'm adamant that the UK is prepared to put boots on the ground and planes in the air to back a deal, in conjunction with our allies because that is the only way that peace will endure. Europe needs to step up. The UK is committed. We'll be providing more defense assistance to Ukraine than ever this year. We're already one of the largest spenders within NATO.
Trump, whose recent foreign policy position on Russia has been causing anxiety among European leaders, emphasized the importance of American leadership in bringing stability if the three-year Ukrainian war ends.
Describing trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump stated, "I think he'll keep his word. I think, I think he's, I've spoken to him. I've known him for a long time now, you know. I've known him. We had, we had to go through the Russian hoax together. That was not a good thing, was not fair."
Simultaneously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be arriving at the White House on Friday to seal an agreement that gives the US access to Ukrainian minerals in return for yet-to-be-revealed ongoing support.
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