Trump Rebukes Putin, Praises UK in Starmer Presser

At a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Vladimir Putin, saying the Russian leader “has let me down” and claiming Russian forces are suffering heavier losses than Ukraine. He lauded Britain and its royal pageantry while suggesting the UK could deploy the military to halt irregular Channel crossings, a remark that stirred fresh debate as protests marked the visit.

A Public Turn on Putin

Trump said he had expected to broker a quick peace in Ukraine “because of my relationship with President Putin,” but added, “he’s really let me down.” He argued that “the Russian soldiers are being killed at a higher rate than the Ukrainian soldiers,” a line that signaled a harder public stance on Moscow during the London visit. Starmer pressed for more pressure on the Kremlin, while Trump reiterated his view that squeezing oil revenues could force Russia to “drop out” of the war.

Migration Flashpoint, Diplomatic Politeness

While Trump disagreed with Starmer’s recognition of Palestinian statehood, he largely avoided open confrontation and focused on migration, saying: “It doesn’t matter if you call out the military … it destroys countries from within.” The comment revived a contentious debate over UK border policy even as the two leaders showcased alignment on broader transatlantic ties. The prime minister sought to channel Trump’s ire toward Putin, framing unity on Ukraine as the core deliverable of the talks.

Pageantry, Protests, and the Optics

Trump extolled the royal family and “these beautiful, magnificent isles” after ceremonies at Windsor and a showy reception at Chequers. The spectacle contrasted with large demonstrations in London, where several thousand people rallied against the visit. The mix of pomp and protest underscored the political stakes for both leaders as they sought to spotlight a renewed “special relationship.”