US president Donald Trump has given a huge boost to Sir Keir Starmer as he indicated he would support the UK’s Chagos deal, after weeks of uncertainty over the agreement.
Critics of the deal expressed concerns that it could open up a vital UK-US military base, on Diego Garcia, to foreign interference, but speaking alongside the prime minister in the White House, the president said Britain had agreed a “strong lease” on the military base, adding: “I think we will be inclined to go along with your country.”
Mr Trump said he and Sir Keir “get along famously” as the pair began their key talks, and the US president accepted an invitation that Sir Keir delivered from the King for a second state visit to the UK.
The president had urged the UK to double defence spending despite Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to increase it to 2.5 per cent.
The White House said Mr Trump was “very pleased” with Sir Keir’s decision, but none the less called on Nato allies to hike defence spending to 5 per cent.
In one of the most consequential meetings ever between the White House and Downing Street, the PM is expected to demand a US backstop for Ukraine to deter further Russian aggression in Europe.
Washington has called on Europe to go even further to “address years of underfunding in the defence capabilities of Nato”.
Trump hints at ‘security backstop’ as part of Ukraine minerals deal
The US President said: “President Zelensky is coming to see me on Friday morning. And we’re going be signing really a very important agreement for both sides because it’s really going to get us into that country, working there.”
He added it was” a backstop, you could say”.
But he stopped short of saying whether that would include sending any US peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, which he has previously been reluctant to commit to.
Natalie Crockett27 February 2025 18:21
Relief for Keir Starmer as Trump hints good news for the UK on tariffs
Analysis from our Whitehall editor, Kate Devlin: In a crunch meeting with the US president, the prospect of tariffs on UK goods entering the US is perhaps the most crucial for Keir Starmer.
He will be relieved then at hints Mr Trump gave in the White House. He said the US would press ahead with reciprocal tariffs against the EU, calling the bloc “very tough on” the US.
While he did not rule out tariffs against the UK, he said relations were in a “warm spot”.
Sir Keir will be hoping that spot is very warm indeed.
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Kate Devlin27 February 2025 18:15
Trump indicates he will back Starmer’s Chagos deal
Donald Trump has indicated he will back Sir Keir Starmer’s Chagos deal, after weeks of uncertainty over the agreement.
There was concern from Downing Street that the Republican administration would veto the deal, which hands over Chagos archipelago to Mauritius.
Critics of the deal expressed concerns that it could open up a vital UK-US military base, located on Diego Garcia, to foreign interference.
But speaking alongside Sir Keir, the president said Britain has agreed a “strong lease” on the military base, adding: “I think we will be inclined to go along with your country.”
Jane Dalton27 February 2025 18:09
Watch: Trump and Starmer’s first words to each other before crunch Ukraine talks
Jane Dalton27 February 2025 18:07
Trump accepts King’s second state visit invitation
President Donald Trump has been invited for an unprecedented second state visit by the King, Sir Keir Starmer said.
The prime minister handed a letter to Mr Trump from the King, officially inviting him to Britain for an unprecedented second state visit.
Trump immediately accepted the invitation.
Jane Dalton27 February 2025 18:06
Starmer and I get along very famously, says Trump
Donald Trump reportedly said he would come to the UK in the near future, as he sat down for talks with Sir Keir.
He said he had a “tremendous” relationship with Keir Starmer, according to journalist Steven Swinford.
“We have had a tremendous relationship. We get along very famously. I look forward to the day and the meeting.”
Keir Starmer thanked Mr Trump for ‘changing the conversation’.
Jane Dalton27 February 2025 17:59
Trump ‘yes’ to peace deal
President Trump was asked whether he and Keir Starmer could get a peace deal in Ukraine, and he answered: “Yes — we can, we will.”
Jane Dalton27 February 2025 17:50
Watch: Starmer gives Trump friendly pat on shoulder
Starmer gives Trump friendly pat on shoulder as he arrives in US for Ukraine talks
Sir Keir Starmer gave Donald Trump a friendly pat on the shoulder as he arrived at the White House for crunch talks on Ukraine on Thursday, 27 February. The UK prime minister is visiting Washington to push the reluctant US president to provide a US “backstop” to prevent the Russian leader from launching a fresh assault on Ukraine after any peace deal. Mr Trump has said he would not provide security guarantees “beyond very much”, insisting it was for Europeans to protect Ukraine. The Republican, who has launched efforts with Russia to find a quick peace deal to end the invasion, has falsely accused Volodymyr Zelensky of being a “dictator” and suggested the Ukrainian leader was to blame for starting the war.
Jane Dalton27 February 2025 17:48
Banned journalist turned away from Oval Office
Strict controls on media still in place, and an AP correspondent in front of me going to the Oval Office was turned away, writes David Maddox.
Two weeks ago the same journalist was banned from the Oval Office for refusing to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
Jane Dalton27 February 2025 17:47
Prime minister arrives at White House
Sir Keir Starmer is in the White House for crunch talks with Donald Trump on Ukraine, trade and technology.
The Prime Minister will push a reluctant Mr Trump to provide a US “backstop”, possibly including fighter jets providing air cover, to prevent Vladimir Putin launching a fresh assault on Ukraine after any peace deal.
Sir Keir is prepared to commit British troops to a peacekeeping mission but believes that US promises are vital to “deter Putin from coming again”.
Jane Dalton27 February 2025 17:36
