Donald Trump resisted pressure from Keir Starmer to commit to providing a US backstop to peace in Ukraine – but said “I’ll always be with the British” if Russia attacks.
The US President said he was confident Vladimir Putin would stick to a future peace deal and claimed he had a “very good relationship” with him.
He argued that a deal to allow the US access to critical minerals in Ukraine would deter Russia from further aggression.
Ahead of a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, Mr Trump claimed he didn’t remember calling Mr Zelensky a “dictator” – adding: “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that.”
The high-stakes meeting in the White House got off to a good start for the PM with Mr Starmer handing over a letter from King Charles to invite Mr Trump for an unprecedented second state visit at Windsor Castle.
Royal fan Mr Trump said it would be an “honour” to visit the “fantastic” country and added that King Charles was a “beautiful man, a wonderful man”.
The letter also proposed hosting Mr Trump at either Dumfries House or Balmoral in Scotland before the visit.
Mr Starmer said: “I think the last state visit was a tremendous success – His Majesty the King wants to make this even better than that.
“So, this is truly historic and unprecedented.”
Mr Trump replied: “That’s a great, great honour. And that says at Windsor – that’s really something.”
Sitting in the White House’s Oval Office, Mr Starmer and Mr Trump took a barrage of questions on efforts to secure a peace deal for Ukraine.
The PM flew to Washington to make the case for the US to provide support for European peacekeepers in Ukraine in case Putin strikes again.
Mr Starmer was expected to try to persuade Mr Trump to underwrite a peace deal by offering aerial intelligence and surveillance – and the threat of missiles if Russia invaded again.
But Mr Trump argued that a critical mineral deal he is expected to sign with Ukraine would deter Putin.
He said: “Well, there is a backstop. First you have European countries, because they’re right there, we’re very far away, we have an ocean between us.”
He added: “We are a backstop because we’ll be over there, we’ll be working in the country.
“That’s a great thing economically for them because … we’re going to have a lot of people over there … so I just don’t think you’re going to have a problem.”
Asked if the US would come to the UK’s aid if British troops were attacked by Russia while keeping the peace in Ukraine, President Donald Trump said: “You know, I’ve always found about the British – they don’t need much help.
“They can take care of themselves very well. “It sounds like it’s evasive but it’s not evasive.
“You know, the British have been incredible soldiers, incredible military, and they can take care of themselves.
“But if they need help, I’ll always be with the British, OK? I’ll always be with them – but they don’t need help.”
Mr Trump suggested the US would help Ukraine recover some of its territory, saying: “They’ve fought long and hard on the land and you and I will be discussing that, and we’ll certainly try and get as much as we can back.”
The US President also did not rule out slapping tariffs on the UK, but said he had a “warm spot” for the country.
After ranting about the EU, he said: “I have investments, I own Turnberry, I own Aberdeen, I own a great place called Doonbeg … so I have a great warm spot for your country.”
Mr Trump also said he was inclined to support the British deal to hand over the Chagos islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius The US and the UK share a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the territory.
“We’re going to have some discussions about that very soon, and I have a feeling it’s going to work out very well,” Mr Trump said: “They’re talking about a very long-term, powerful lease, a very strong lease, about 140 years actually.
“I think we’ll be inclined to go along with your country.”
Starmer is a “tough negotiator”, Donald Trump said as the two held a joint press conference.
Opening a press conference in the White House’s East Room, the US President said: “Today it’s my privilege to welcome the Prime Minister of a very special place, the United Kingdom, to the White House.
“Prime Minister Starmer, you’ve been terrific in our discussions. You’re a very tough negotiator, however, I’m not sure I like that, but that’s okay.”
He added: “The Prime Minister and I have gotten off to an outstanding start. The US and UK have a special relationship, very special, really, like no other passed down through the centuries, and we’re going to keep it that way.”
Former prime minister Winston Churchill’s bust has been returned the Oval Office, the President said.
Trump lavished praise on Mr Starmer during the meeting – but saved his warmest words for his wife Victoria.
“Well, I think we have just a great relationship,” the president said,
referring to the US-UK relationship.
Describing the PM, he said: “We actually had a good relationship before.
“We’ve met a couple of times and I’m very impressed with him, and very impressed with his wife.
“I must say, she’s a beautiful, great woman.”
The PM added: “I second that.”
Mr Trump continued: “And I said, ‘you’re very lucky’. He’s very lucky. And, no, we’ve had a very good relationship.”
The Prime Minister later posted on X: “Fantastic to be in Washington D.C. today for talks with @POTUS Growth and security are the foundations of my Plan for Change, and the UK-US relationship is integral to delivering them. Together, we will improve working people’s lives in both our nations.”