Trump talks Zelenskyy visit, Ukraine-Russia peace talks and royal invite

President Donald Trump faced questions on Thursday about his recent comments calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator.” Despite either ignoring the question or claiming he couldn’t remember making the statement, Trump emphasized progress in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

During a meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House, Trump highlighted successful calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy, expressing optimism for ending the war. He announced a historic agreement to make the U.S. a major partner in developing Ukraine’s minerals, rare earths, oils, and gases.

As Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House approached, reporters questioned whether Trump planned to apologize for his “dictator” remark. Trump had criticized Zelenskyy earlier for being a “dictator without elections” after the U.S. excluded Ukraine from initial peace talks with Russia.

When asked about having common ground with Starmer, who described Putin as a dictator, Trump evaded the question about Zelenskyy. Despite being pressed by reporters about his “dictator” comment, Trump shifted the focus to the upcoming meeting with the Ukrainian president.

Tariffs and trade were also discussed during Trump and Starmer’s meeting, with Starmer attempting to dissuade Trump from imposing tariffs on the U.K. Trump expressed optimism for a trade deal that could eliminate the need for tariffs, emphasizing the strong relationship between the two countries.

In a surprising turn of events, Starmer presented Trump with a letter from King Charles inviting the president and first lady for a second state visit to the United Kingdom. Trump praised Starmer’s accent and humorously remarked on how it could have helped him become president earlier.

The U.S.-U.K. relationship, which has evolved from colonial days to a special bond, was highlighted during the meeting. Both leaders agreed on the strength of their partnership and the historic significance of the state visit invitation from King Charles.

Overall, the meeting between Trump and Starmer showcased discussions on peace efforts in Ukraine, trade relations, and the unique alliance between the U.S. and the U.K. Despite the controversy surrounding Trump’s comments about Zelenskyy, the focus remained on fostering positive diplomatic relations and exploring opportunities for cooperation between the two nations.