Trump says he’s hopeful for Ukraine peace deal and UK trade deal after Starmer talks

[Deeq A.]

A letter from King Charles immediately set a warm tone to discussions between Keir Starmer and Donald Trump at the White House today, with the pair seemingly heading towards agreements on a number of issues.

Trump joked that Starmer had “worked hard” over lunch to try and convince him not to implement tariffs on the UK, before saying that he envisages a trade deal with the UK without the threat of tariffs attached.

On Ukraine, the US president told reporters that he thinks a ceasefire agreement with Russia will be agreed “soon” or “won’t be at all”.

Peace in Gaza was also on the agenda, and the pair agreed that a deal for long lasting peace can be the only solution in the region.

Starmer pledged to boost defence spending just before heading across the Atlantic, and he earned praise from Trump for it.

On the Chagos Islands deal, Trump suggested he is “inclined to go along with” it should the UK present a plan to him.

Tomorrow, it’s Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s turn to visit the White House.

He’s in Washington to sign a minerals deal. Trump appeared to set the tone for friendlier discussions after rowing back on an earlier declaration that Zelensky is a “dictator”.

We’re closing our coverage for tonight, but we’ll be back to cover Zelensky’s trip in full. In the meantime, here’s some reading to cast your eye over:

CLICK HERE: Trump says he’s hopeful for Ukraine peace deal and UK trade deal after Starmer talks

Qaran News