Keir Starmer praises Trump and says today's meeting could be 'historic'

Keir Starmer praised Donald Trump and said European leaders could today take a "historic step" towards ending the Ukraine War.

At the top of a multilateral meeting at the White House, the Prime Minister told Trump: "I really feel that we can, I think, with the right approach this afternoon, make real progress, particularly on the security guarantees."

Details of what the US is willing to provide or support by way of security guarantees have not yet emerged.

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But there have been indications from Trump and his team that US boots on the ground as well as a 'NATO-style' protection guarantee were on the table.

Mr Starmer added: "Your indication of security guarantees, of some sort of article five-style guarantees, fits with what we've been doing with the coalition of the willing which we started some months ago, bringing countries together and showing that we were prepared to step up to the plate when it came to security.

"With you coming alongside, the US alongside, what we've already developed, I think we could take a really important step forward today - a historic step, actually, could come out of this meeting in terms of security for Ukraine and security in Europe."

Earlier, Donald Trump was apparently caught on a 'hot mic' discussing his real thoughts about Putin's intentions.

As people were still milling around, he appeared to be speaking to French President Emmanuel Macron.

He was heard on an open microphone saying: "I think he wants to make a deal for me.

"Do you understand? As crazy as it sounds."

Asked earlier in the Oval Office if he would rule out such deployment of US forces as peacekeepers, the president said, "We'll let you know that, maybe, later today.

"We're meeting with seven great leaders of great countries, also, and we'll be talking about that."

"They'll all be involved," he added. "When it comes to security, there's going to be a lot of help."

Asked about "Nato-like protection" for Ukraine - an idea that had been floated by his envoy Steve Witkoff - Trump said the US would "help them out with that", referring to European leaders.

Trump said: "I don't know if you define it that way, but Nato-like? I mean, we're going to give, we have people waiting in another room right now, they're all here, from Europe.

"Biggest people in Europe.

"And they want to give protection, they feel very strongly about it, and we'll help them out with that."

Hopes for the meetings had been gloomy after Trump posted on Truth Social this morning a string of demands for Ukraine - which lined up with many of Russia's demands.

They included "forgetting" about Nato membership, and ruling out returning Crimea from Russia to Ukraine.

But the Oval Office appearance went smoothly - and vastly less eventfully than their disastrous last White House meeting.

Trump indicated that US troops being involved in peacekeeping efforts was on the table for discussion - as was a "NATO style" security guarantee.

Both Trump and Zelensky said they were ready for a trilateral meeting with Russia's ruthless dictator, Vladimir Putin.

Asked by a reporter if it is the "end of the road" for U.S. support for Ukraine if no deal is struck, Trump said its "never the end of the road."

"People are being killed and we want to stop that. So I would not say it's the end of the road," Trump said as Zelenskyy sat next to him shaking his head at the question. He added that there is a "good chance" of the ending the war through these meetings.

"I know the president, I know myself, and I believe Vladimir Putin wants to see it end," Trump said.

Trump said he was going to speak to Putin as soon as this afternoon's meetings are over.