Israel ceasefire, Ukraine peace, trade top talks as Starmer meets Trump

Donald Trump, President of the United States, and Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, held a joint press conference in the U.S., focusing on key global issues. The discussions centered on the Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal, a proposed peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, and strengthening UK-U.S. trade relations.

Here are five takeaways from the meeting

Israel- Gaza ceasefire

The US president said “we’re working very hard” towards a lasting ceasefire, while Starmer said “everything” must be done to ensure the ceasefire continues. He also reiterated the UK’s long-held position that a two-state solution is the “only way” for lasting peace in the region.

“We’ll see what happens with a ceasefire,” Trump said.

Read also: Starmer announces hike in UK defense spending, aid budget cuts

Ukraine- Russia peace deal

Donald Trump said peace in the country will come “fairly soon” or not “at all” and that “progress towards peace” will continue when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visits the White House on Friday. He also praised Ukrainians’ bravery saying: “We’ve given him [Zelenskiy] a lot of equipment and a lot of money, but they have fought very bravely. “Somebody has to use that equipment, and they have been very brave in that sense.”

Trump emphasized that the minerals agreement is a key component of the peace deal  serving as reimbursement for U.S. military spending on Ukraine. He expects Volodymyr to sign the agreement allowing the US to share in Ukraine’s Mineral resources as it “will provide the basis for a more sustainable future relationship” between the two countries, Trump says.

UK increased defence spending

The US president praised the UK’s hike in defence spending to 2.5% of the national income by 2027 – it’s something Trump has long pushed his allies to commit to. Starmer, meanwhile, said Trump was right that Europe must “step up” on this front

Read also: Trump blames Zelenskiy for Russia- Ukraine war

Invitation for State visit

During the conference, Prime Minister Starmer extended an invitation from King Charles III for President Trump to undertake a state visit to the United Kingdom, which President Trump accepted. This gesture signifies a commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations between the two nations.

Prospect on UK-US trade deal

Trump assured the Prime Minister that a trade deal with the UK would not lead to increased tariffs.
“I think there’s a very good chance that in the case of these two great, friendly countries, I think we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn’t be necessary. We’ll see.”

This could be reached “fairly quickly”, according to the US president. He later added that Starmer has been “working hard” to prevent the US from imposing tariffs on UK goods, something that Trump said he thinks won’t be necessary “Our trading relationship is not just strong”, he says, but “fair, balanced and reciprocal”.

Work has begun on a “new economic deal” between the countries with “advanced technology at its core”, he adds.

Before leaving the podium, and ending the news conference, Trump says: “I think we’ll have two deals.

“I think we’ll have a deal on ending the war and I think we’re going to end up with a great trade deal with you [the UK], and it’s an honour to be with you and I want to thank everybody very much.”