President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a press conference on Thursday during the second day of the American leader’s state visit to the United Kingdom. The two met at the British Prime Minister’s country residence at Chequers, where they signed a „technological prosperity agreement,” under which major American technology firms commit to investing tens of billions of pounds in the United Kingdom.
Trump emphasized the „unshakable bond” between the United States and the United Kingdom, while he and Starmer held discussions at the prime minister’s country residence.
"The United States and the United Kingdom have done more good on this planet than any other two nations in the history of humanity," Trump stated. The two countries are "united forever" and will be friends forever, he assured.
Starmer said that the new technological agreement they signed "has the power to change lives," while Trump stated that it represents an assurance that the United Kingdom and the U.S. "will lead the next technological revolution shoulder to shoulder."
Trump Disappointed in Putin, But Does Not Regret the Alaska Episode
Referring to the war in Ukraine, the British Prime Minister stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has shown his true colors, with the world witnessing "even more bloodshed," while Trump reiterated his disappointment in his Moscow counterpart.
Starmer urged Trump to increase pressure on Putin regarding Ukraine, but the American president generally maintained his usual comments on the subject. He reiterated that Putin had disappointed him and that Russian soldiers are being killed at a higher rate than Ukrainians.
"We have solved seven wars, most of which, I would say, were not considered solvable," added Trump. "I hope we will have good news for you soon," he said, a statement he has made before.
However, Trump also mentioned that at one point, the situation was "heading towards a third world war," but that is no longer the case now.
Trump was asked if he regrets his summit in Alaska with Putin, but he said he does not. The American president added that he believes markets could put pressure on Putin. "If oil prices drop, Putin will withdraw. He won't have a choice. He will withdraw from this war," Trump stated.
Starmer: Putin Has Shown His True Colors
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine show that Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace.
"In recent days, Putin has shown his true colors - launching the largest attack since the beginning of the invasion, with even more bloodshed, more innocent people killed, and unprecedented violations of NATO's airspace," Starmer said, referring to the Russian drones that entered Poland last week. "These are not the actions of someone who wants peace," he underscored.
Starmer said that he and Donald Trump discussed how to "increase pressure on Putin to compel him to accept a lasting peace agreement."
Disagreements on the Gaza War
Starmer called the situation in Gaza "intolerable" and expressed hope that the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state would help bring about peace. "It is part of the overall package that, hopefully, will take us from the current horrific situation to the outcome of a safe and secure Israel, which we don't have, and a viable Palestinian state," he stated.
Trump disagreed with his British counterpart regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state and said he "wants the hostages released right now." He highlighted the atrocities of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and stated that his main objective was the release of the hostages, as reported by CNN.
When asked if he is the only person capable of convincing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the Israeli offensive in Gaza, Trump replied: "You must understand what happened on October 7... one of the darkest days in human history. I cannot forget that moment," he said.
Trump added that he wants the war to end, but he wants the hostages released before any negotiation: "I want an end, I want the hostages released, and I think it will be okay," he said.
Regarding Starmer's plans to recognize a Palestinian state - joining a number of other nations in the coming days - he softened the sharpness of this topic. "I have a disagreement with the prime minister on this matter. One of our few disagreements," he said.
US Attempts to Regain Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan
Donald Trump also mentioned that the American government is trying to regain control of the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, as reported by BBC.
"It could be breaking news," said President Trump. "One of the reasons we want the base is that it is an hour away from where China is producing its nuclear weapons," he explained.
The Bagram base was built by the Soviet Union in the 1950s, becoming its main base in the 1980s when it defended the occupation of Afghanistan.
The United States inherited the base when it overthrew the Taliban regime in 2001. Bagram had become a ruin after being abandoned by the Soviets, but the Americans rebuilt the base, which grew to approximately 77 square kilometers.
For the US and NATO, the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan was the epicenter of the war against the Taliban and al-Qaeda for almost 20 years. The US-led coalition forces moved there in December 2001, and the base was transformed into a massive facility capable of accommodating up to 10,000 soldiers.