Donald Trump has insisted that Vladimir Putin would “keep his word” on a peace deal for Ukraine, arguing that US workers extracting critical minerals in the country would act as a security backstop to deter Russia from invading again. During talks at the White House with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the US president said Putin could be trusted not to breach any agreement, which could aim to return as much land as possible seized by Russia during the three-year conflict.
However, Trump refused to commit to deploying US forces to support a European-led peacekeeping force, though he said the US would “always” help the British military if needed. He later indicated the US would make “great trade agreements” with the UK that could progress “very quickly”. The US president also appeared to back the Chagos Islands deal struck by Starmer, who delivered a letter from King Charles offering Trump an unprecedented second state visit.
Starmer used the meeting to push for security protections for Kyiv, stressing that any peace deal must be “tough and fair” and backed by strength to stop Putin returning. He confirmed the UK is ready to put “boots on the ground and planes in the air” to support a deal. But Trump suggested keeping the peace would be “the easy part”, and that a multibillion dollar US stake in Ukraine’s rare earths sector would be enough of a deterrent.
Trump reiterated support for Nato’s collective defence principle, saying: “I support it. I don’t think we’re gonna have any reason for it.” He added that if UK peacekeeping forces came under attack, “I’ll always be with the British.” The talks came at a precarious moment for European security as the US aligns with Russia, breaking years of transatlantic consensus on Ukraine.
