US President Donald Trump expressed admiration for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prior to his visit, downplaying a previous remark labeling him a “dictator.”
“I believe we’re going to have a very productive meeting tomorrow morning. We’re going to get along extremely well,” Mr. Trump stated.
“I have significant respect for him,” Mr. Trump commented regarding Mr. Zelensky at a joint news conference alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Despite his longstanding criticisms of the billions in military and other aid provided by the United States to Ukraine, Mr. Trump adopted a different stance just before a meeting where the two nations are likely to finalize a deal on mining rights.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a press conference in Kyiv ahead of his visit to the White House.
“We’ve supplied a lot of equipment and considerable funds, but they have fought courageously,” Mr. Trump remarked.
“Someone has to operate that equipment, and they have shown immense bravery in doing so,” he added.
Earlier in February, Mr. Trump surprised many European allies by having a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Ukraine.
Following Mr. Zelensky’s critical comments, Mr. Trump referred to the elected Ukrainian leader as a “dictator.”
“Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that,” Mr. Trump replied when journalists questioned him about his comment made earlier this month on his Truth Social platform.
This comes as Mr. Trump adopted a more conciliatory tone on Ukraine truce discussions while hosting Prime Minister Starmer – though he refrained from making any solid commitments on the US security guarantees that Europe urgently seeks.
We need your consent to load this comcast-player content. We use comcast-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences
During a positive meeting, the US president secured a potential trade deal win for Mr. Starmer, while the British leader appealed to Mr. Trump’s appreciation for the royal family by extending an invitation for a state visit from King Charles III.
Mr. Trump, who has caused concern in European capitals with his abrupt shift towards Russia, remarked that there has been “a lot of progress” toward finalizing a deal to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and that negotiations are at a critical juncture.
“It’ll either happen quite soon or not at all,” Mr. Trump stated at the joint press conference with Mr. Starmer.
‘Rewards the aggressor’
However, regarding the US security “backstop” that Britain and France desire in exchange for deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine if a deal with Russia materializes, Mr. Trump remained non-committal.
The US president indicated he was “open to various possibilities” concerning security guarantees but insisted that a Russia-Ukraine agreement must be established first.
Mr. Trump also expressed confidence that Mr. Putin would “keep his word,” dismissing Mr. Starmer’s caution that a ceasefire lacking a US backstop might permit Russia to invade Ukraine again.
French President Emmanuel Macron met with President Donald Trump on Monday.
This left Mr. Starmer as the second leader in a week to leave Washington without a concrete agreement on Ukraine, following French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit earlier.
“We have to win the peace,” Mr. Starmer stated at the joint news conference. “It can’t be a peace that rewards the aggressor.”
Nevertheless, the British Prime Minister sought to demonstrate his readiness to step up in Ukraine, as Mr. Trump continually urges European nations to enhance their contribution to continental defense.
“I am clear that the UK is prepared to deploy troops and aircraft to support a deal,” Mr. Starmer affirmed.
In a later interview with Fox News, Mr. Starmer commended President Trump for leading the way toward a truce but emphasized, “We need to defend it.”
“The agreement must be one that lasts,” he added.
British officials had previously called for US support, including aerial and satellite intelligence, and air power if necessary.
‘Truly historic’
Mr. Starmer will otherwise return home pleased from a meeting with Mr. Trump, who called him a “tough negotiator.”
Read more: Ukraine truce ‘can’t be peace that rewards aggressor,’ says Starmer after Trump meeting.
Mr. Trump hinted at a “great” post-Brexit trade deal that could assist Britain in avoiding tariffs he has threatened against other nations at the start of his second term.
“He tried hard; he was really working on it,” Mr. Trump chuckled when asked if the British Prime Minister had succeeded in dissuading him from imposing the tariffs.
In a carefully orchestrated moment in the Oval Office, Mr. Starmer also presented Mr. Trump with a letter from the king inviting him for a historic second state visit by a US president.
“This has never happened before,” Mr. Starmer exclaimed. “This is truly historic.”
The US president expressed that he was “honored” and would attend alongside First Lady Melania Trump.
However, the world will be closely observing Mr. Trump’s meeting with Mr. Zelensky at the White House today.
President Volodymyr Zelensky anticipated that the deal would include US security guarantees.
The two leaders are set to sign a significant agreement granting Washington exclusive access to Ukraine’s rare minerals, something Mr. Trump has insisted be included as compensation for US military aid to Ukraine.
“We’ll be digging, digging, digging,” Mr. Trump told reporters.
President Zelensky had hoped the agreement would feature US security guarantees, but it seems they will not be part of it.
Discussions between US and Russian officials – initiated after a surprise phone call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin just over two weeks ago – are ongoing with Ukraine being largely excluded.
Mr. Putin stated that the preliminary talks “offer some hope” in resolving issues like the Ukraine conflict.
However, Russia declared that returning Ukrainian territories it claims to have annexed during its invasion – which Mr. Trump mentioned could be possible as part of a future peace deal – is “non-negotiable.”
