US President Donald Trump criticized Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday, saying the Kremlin chief had “really let me down,” as he wrapped up his state visit to the United Kingdom with high-level talks at Chequers alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The meeting came a day after King Charles III hosted Trump at Windsor Castle in a display of royal ceremony. Flying into Starmer’s countryside residence, the US president engaged in discussions on global flashpoints, particularly the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Starmer, keen to position himself as a key link between Washington and European allies, has repeatedly urged Trump to increase pressure on Moscow and provide stronger backing for Kyiv. His efforts appeared to be gaining ground as Trump, long known for his ties to Putin, expressed disillusionment with the Russian president for continuing the war despite Trump’s attempts to broker peace.
Speaking at a press briefing after their talks, Trump admitted he had once believed Ukraine’s conflict would be the “easiest” to resolve “because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down. He’s really let me down.” He further pressed European governments to halt Russian oil imports, arguing that “if the price of oil comes down, Putin’s going to drop out of that war.”
Trump’s visit also featured warm gestures toward the United Kingdom, with Starmer emphasizing the two nations’ “unbreakable bond” as they signed a landmark technology partnership. The deal, focused on artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, and quantum computing, was bolstered by £150 billion ($205 billion) in new US investment from firms such as Microsoft, Google, and Blackstone. At the signing, Starmer remarked that he and Trump were “leaders who genuinely like each other.”
The US president, meanwhile, used the talks to highlight issues closer to Britain’s domestic politics. He revealed that he had told Starmer he could stop illegal migration in the UK, “even if it meant calling in the military.”
While the two leaders aligned on trade and Ukraine, Trump acknowledged a key disagreement over Britain’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state. Still, Trump praised the bilateral trade agreement reached earlier this year, calling it “the best.”
The day also included symbolic gestures designed to appeal to Trump’s admiration of British wartime hero Winston Churchill, with Starmer guiding him through Churchill memorabilia at Chequers. Trump had earlier bid farewell to King Charles at Windsor, describing him as “a great gentleman and a great king.”
Starmer’s decision to grant Trump a second state visit, a rare honor, appears to have paid off diplomatically, with visible investment deals and deeper transatlantic cooperation to showcase. The prime minister, however, faces challenges at home, including fallout from his dismissal of ambassador Peter Mandelson over links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump, too, has not fully escaped Epstein’s shadow, as renewed attention on their past association has trailed him in recent weeks. Nonetheless, Wednesday’s glittering state banquet, complete with gun salutes, cavalry processions, and bagpipes, offered Trump a moment to bask in royal prestige. Calling the evening “one of the highest honours of my life,” the president received praise from King Charles for his peace efforts and Ukraine support, though the monarch reminded him of the duty to safeguard the environment for future generations.
As Melania Trump toured Windsor with Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine on Thursday, the president remained shielded from public demonstrations. Thousands marched through central London in protest against his visit, underscoring his polarizing presence in Britain.
Trump was scheduled to fly back to Washington later on Thursday, concluding a visit marked by both political friction and renewed commitments to UK-US cooperation.
What You Should Know
Donald Trump’s UK state visit combined royal ceremony, major investment deals, and sharp political statements.While he praised ties with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and signed a landmark tech partnership, Trump rebuked Vladimir Putin over Ukraine.
Despite protests in London, the visit highlighted stronger transatlantic cooperation amid ongoing global crises.
