Trump believes Russia will comply with the ceasefire when meeting the British Prime Minister

(CLO) US President Donald Trump said he was confident Russia would abide by any ceasefire in Ukraine during talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House on Thursday.

Mr Trump stressed that he trusted Russian President Vladimir Putin would respect any ceasefire with Ukraine, contradicting Mr Starmer's warning that the lack of US "protection" for a deal would pose risks to Kiev in the future.

"I think he'll keep his word," Mr Trump told reporters sitting next to Starmer in the Oval Office when asked about Putin. "I've spoken to him, I've known him a long time, I don't think he'll break his word."

US President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House on February 27. Photo: X/KeirStarmer

The UK and France have both offered to deploy peacekeepers to Ukraine but want assurances from the US that help will include aerial and satellite surveillance and possibly air power.

Mr Trump added that the UK could "take care of itself, but if they need help, I will always support the British people". Earlier, Mr Starmer appeared skeptical, saying on the plane to Washington that a "ceasefire without deterrence" would make Russia "wait and see" Kiev.

The British prime minister told Mr Trump he wanted to "work with him to ensure that the peace deal is lasting" but that it was also "an agreement that no one breaks".

Mr Starmer then presented Trump with a letter from King Charles III inviting him to an unprecedented second state visit by a US president. "This has never happened before, this is unprecedented," Mr Starmer said.

The British prime minister also announced an increase in defense spending to please Mr. Trump before arriving in the U.S. A Trump administration official said they were “delighted” by Mr. Starmer’s announcement on Tuesday that the U.K.’s defense spending would rise by 2.5% by 2027.

Mr. Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, where the two leaders are expected to sign a deal giving the United States access to Ukraine’s rare minerals, which Mr. Trump has demanded as payment for U.S. military aid.

Mr Starmer’s visit comes days after a similar visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss security in Ukraine and Europe. Mr Trump has long pushed European nations to shoulder more of the burden for Ukraine’s defence and their own.

Hoang Huy (according to WH, Guardian, AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ong-trump-noi-tin-tuong-nga-se-tuan-thu-lenh-ngung-ban-trong-cuoc-gap-thu-tuong-anh-post336449.html