Trump Eases Tone, But Starmer Gets No Ukraine Commitments

Donald Trump took a softer tone on Ukraine truce talks on Thursday as he hosted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but refused to give any firm commitments on the US security guarantees Europe desperately wants.

- Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON:

In an upbeat meeting, the US president handed Starmer a win on a possible trade deal, while the British leader pandered to Trump's love of the royal family with an invitation for a state visit from King Charles III.

Trump, who has alarmed European capitals with his sudden pivot towards Russia, said there had been "a lot of progress" towards a deal to end the conflict in Ukraine and that negotiations were at a crucial stage. "It'll either be fairly soon or it won't be at all," Trump told a press conference with Starmer.