It is anticipated that Ukraine’s Zelenskyy will travel to the nation’s capital on Friday to finalize an agreement that would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s considerable wealth of critical minerals and other resources. Here are the key points from the meeting between Trump and Starmer:
-Trump’s confidence in Putin’s word: Trump expressed his belief that Putin would honor any agreement and not attempt to reinvade Ukraine without support from the U.S. and European peacekeepers. Trump mentioned his long-standing relationship with Putin and the mutual trust developed during the “Russia hoax” investigation.
-Starmer’s cautious stance: Starmer refrained from fully endorsing Trump’s views on Putin and emphasized the importance of ensuring any agreement withstands potential challenges from Putin.
-Trump’s view on British involvement: When asked about potential British intervention in Ukraine, Trump expressed confidence in the British military’s capabilities to handle the situation independently. He stated that while he stands ready to assist if needed, he believes the British are more than capable of managing on their own.
-Trump’s support for NATO’s Article 5: Trump voiced his support for Article 5 of NATO, asserting that he believes a successful and enduring peace will be achieved without necessitating its activation.
-U.S. role in Ukraine: When pressed about the U.S.’s future involvement in Ukraine’s security, Trump avoided specifics but suggested that a mineral resource agreement would provide a safeguard. He hinted at a significant U.S. presence in Ukraine post-war, emphasizing the importance of stability in the region.
Trump expressed gratitude for the work of many employees involved in rare earths and other essential resources for the country. He emphasized the need to prioritize a Russia-Ukraine agreement before discussing peacekeeping efforts in the region. A photograph captured President Donald Trump engaging in a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Oval Office in the White House on February 27, 2025. Trump stated his reluctance to discuss peacekeeping without a solid agreement in place.
Starmer underscored the significance of security guarantees, highlighting the necessity for enduring agreements. Addressing previous remarks labeling Zelenskyy as a dictator, Trump seemed to backtrack, questioning whether he had made such statements. Despite previously referring to Zelenskyy as a dictator without elections, Trump refrained from using similar terms for Putin. Ahead of hosting Zelenskyy in Washington, Trump aimed to mend previous criticism of the Ukrainian leader.
Regarding the return of Ukrainian territories, Trump shifted from deeming it unrealistic to expressing intent to reclaim some land through peace negotiations. He noted the ongoing discussions on the restoration of areas like Crimea to Ukraine, highlighting the importance of potential territorial adjustments in favor of Ukraine. However, he categorically dismissed the idea of Ukraine joining NATO.
Trump conveyed trust in Putin’s commitment to honoring agreements, reflecting on his discussions with Starmer regarding Ukraine. These insights emerged from the talks between Trump and Starmer on Ukraine. This development was featured on abcnews.go.com.
