Trump and Starmer Meet Amidst Uncertainty Over Ukraine Peace Deal
Washington D.C. – United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, amidst growing international concerns over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The meeting took place mere hours after Trump, in a Cabinet meeting, expressed reluctance to provide extensive security guarantees to Ukraine, indicating a desire for Europe to take the lead in ensuring the country’s security.
The high-stakes discussions come as President Trump engages in a flurry of diplomatic activity aimed at finding a resolution to the conflict. He met with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the week to discuss the situation in Ukraine and is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Friday.
According to a senior administration official, the meeting between Trump and Starmer would primarily focus on the President’s efforts to broker a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Following the meeting, the two leaders held a joint press conference at 2 p.m. ET, providing insights into their discussions and outlining their perspectives on the path forward.
As President Trump greeted Prime Minister Starmer at the White House, he was directly questioned about his confidence in achieving a peace deal in Ukraine. Trump responded emphatically, stating, "We can and we will." The statement underscored Trump’s conviction that a resolution is attainable.
During the joint press conference, Starmer acknowledged Trump’s efforts to shift the narrative and foster the possibility of a peace agreement. "On issues like Ukraine, thank you for changing the conversation to bring about the possibility that now we can have a peace deal," Starmer said. He further expressed the UK’s commitment to working alongside the United States to ensure any peace agreement is durable and sustainable. "And we want to work with you to make sure that peace deal is enduring, that it lasts, that it’s a deal that goes down as a historic deal, that nobody breaches. And we’ll work with you, to make sure that absolutely happens," Starmer added.
Prior to his meeting with Trump, Starmer had reportedly urged the United States to provide a "security backstop" for potential European peacekeepers in Ukraine, according to reports from Reuters. "I’m absolutely convinced that we need a lasting peace, not a ceasefire, and for that to happen we need security guarantees," Starmer was quoted as saying. He emphasized the importance of defining the specific parameters of such guarantees through "intense discussion."
Starmer articulated concerns that a ceasefire without adequate security guarantees would merely provide Russian President Vladimir Putin with an opportunity to regroup and resume hostilities. "My concern is if there is a ceasefire without a backstop, it will simply give him [Putin] the opportunity to wait and to come again because his ambition in relation to Ukraine is pretty obvious, I think, for all to see," Starmer stated.
However, President Trump appeared hesitant to commit to peacekeeping efforts until a formal agreement is in place. "I don’t like to talk about peacekeeping until we have a deal. I like to get things done," Trump said. "We have to make a deal first. Right now, we don’t have a deal," he added, emphasizing the need to prioritize negotiations.
Trump’s reluctance to provide extensive security guarantees to Ukraine was further underscored during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. "I’m not going to make security guarantees beyond very much, we’re going to have Europe do that, because… Europe is their next-door neighbor. But we’re going to make sure everything goes well," Trump stated, signaling a preference for European involvement in ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security.
The meetings in Washington occur while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks robust security assurances. As Zelenskyy prepares for his meeting with President Trump, his primary objective is securing a commitment to something akin to NATO membership for Ukraine, providing it with the security umbrella it needs to deter future aggression.
Trump highlighted his interactions with both Putin and Zelenskyy, suggesting that he may be uniquely positioned to broker a deal. "I’ve had very good conversations with President Putin. I’ve had very good conversations with President Zelenskyy. And until four weeks ago, nobody had conversations with anybody," Trump said on Wednesday. "It wasn’t even a consideration. Nobody thought you could make peace. I think you can," he added, projecting an air of optimism.
Trump concluded by reaffirming his commitment to pursuing the best possible outcome for all parties involved. "We’re going to do the best we can to make the best deal we can for both sides," Trump said, reiterating his intention to broker an agreement that addresses the concerns of both Ukraine and Russia.
The outcome of these diplomatic engagements remains uncertain, but the meetings between Trump, Starmer, Macron, and Zelenskyy signify a concerted effort to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine and to establish a framework for long-term stability and security in the region. The world watches with bated breath as these leaders navigate the complex geopolitical landscape in pursuit of a lasting peace.
