Starmer and Trump Hold Talks on Ukraine, Trade, and Special Relationship Photo: | Image- AP Starmer and Trump Hold Talks on Ukraine, Trade, and Special Relationship Photo: | Image- AP

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met The US President Donald Trump on Thursday at the White House for talks about Ukraine's security, trade relations, and the future of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Thursday's meeting suggested that there are some underlying issues between the US and its allies that haven't been fully addressed, as Starmer attempted to tiptoe around points of divergence with the notoriously prickly Trump, reports suggest.

Starmer showcased his charm during negotiations for a US commitment to provide military aid to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia, but Trump disregarded the plea, AP reported.

In a notable moment, while praising Britain's 'incredible military' that 'doesn't need much help,' the 78-year-old US president jokingly asked, 'Can you take on Russia alone?'"

Trump commended the UK's self-sufficiency, stating that the nation is capable of "taking care of themselves," and added that if Britain's peacekeeping forces came under attack and they "need help,66br I will always be with the British.".

"You've created a moment of tremendous opportunity to reach a historic peace deal—a deal that I think would be celebrated in Ukraine and around the world," said Starmer.

Starmer highlighted the enduring special relationship between the US and the UK, noting their long history of mutual support and cooperation.

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Trump commended the UK PM, saying the country has "done a great job" over the years. To this, Starmer gave a subtle response, "But we have also always had been backing each other up between our two countries. That is why this is the greatest alliance of prosperity and security that the world has seen."

During the meeting, the British PM extended an invitation from King Charles for a future state visit, which Trump graciously accepted. Trump also credited himself with being the key to achieving peace in Ukraine, stating that his involvement was crucial to resolving the conflict.

"You've created a moment of tremendous opportunity to reach a historic peace deal—a deal that I think would be celebrated in Ukraine and around the world. That is the prize. But we have to get it right," Starmer told Trump.

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The US president said he didn't think Russian President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and then in 2022 again, would do so after a peace deal.

Trump—who had fired at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and even called him a "dictator without elections"—tried" to do damage repair while speaking to reporters at the White House. When asked if he still thought Zelenskyy was a dictator, the US president said, "Did I say that? I can't believe I said that."

"It maybe got a little bit testybrigadeiropg," Trump said. "We want to work with him, and we will work with him."