President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he believes Russian leader Vladimir Putin will “keep his word” if an agreement is reached to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump made these comments during an exchange with journalists at the beginning of his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House.
The American president stated that talks with Russia and Ukraine regarding a peace agreement “have progressed well” and praised Russia for its stance in the negotiations.
“I think Russia has acted very well… I think we’ve made a lot of progress on the agreement, but we haven’t reached one yet,” Trump said.
When asked whether Putin could be trusted, President Trump responded: “Trust but verify.”
Prime Minister Starmer is visiting the United States in an effort to convince President Trump that a lasting peace in Ukraine is only possible if Kyiv and European leaders are at the negotiating table with Moscow.
Starmer has urged the United States to offer a security guarantee for any European force that might take on a potential peacekeeping role in Ukraine once peace talks are concluded, which Trump has advocated for since he assumed office last month.
President Trump said he would not speak about the details of a peacekeeping force until an agreement is reached.
The British Prime Minister thanked President Trump for “opening the door to the possibility of a peace agreement.”
His visit, which comes just days after French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit, reflects growing concerns in Europe that Trump’s effort to end Russia’s war in Ukraine as quickly as possible signals his willingness to make concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the White House on Friday and is expected to sign an agreement with Trump for Ukraine’s critical minerals. President Trump said this agreement would serve as a security guarantee for Ukraine, according to VOA.
On Thursday, Starmer delivered a state visit invitation to President Trump on behalf of King Charles, which Trump accepted.
The British Prime Minister said that the invitation for a second state visit, following a similar visit during Trump’s first term, is “historic” and “unprecedented.”
