During a press conference at Chequers today, marking the conclusion of his second state visit to the UK, US President Donald Trump delivered sharp words toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing disappointment over stalled peace efforts in Ukraine. He told Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer that he had hoped for quicker progress but said, “he’s let me down, he’s really let me down.” According to Sky News, Trump had believed brokering a peace deal would be straightforward due to his prior dealings with Putin a hope that, in his view, has not been fulfilled.
At the same time, Trump made headlines by advising Starmer to consider deploying the military to tackle Britain’s ongoing small boats migration crisis. He asserted that illegal immigration was a serious domestic issue capable of causing deep harm, saying it could “destroy countries from within” if left unchecked.
Sir Keir Starmer responded by pointing to recent UK governmental measures, including the implementation of a “one in, one out” agreement with France under which migrants arriving by small boat can now be returned. He emphasized that some action is already being taken to control and reduce illegal migration.
Meanwhile, Trump also expressed strong criticism of wind power, calling it “a very expensive joke,” and pushed for increased North Sea oil production — highlighting energy policy as another area of policy divergence between the two leaders.
Reaction to Putin and Ukraine
The president’s rebuke of Putin came as part of broader commentary on the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump claimed that he had expected more cooperation from Putin following their earlier meetings, including a gathering in Alaska last month. These expectations, Trump said, were disappointed by Russia’s continued military actions and high casualty rates.
Starmer in the press conference also stated that Vladimir Putin had finally shown his “true face,” underlining that the UK is calling for more diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia.
Trump’s statements mark a few striking moments in what had been a mostly diplomatic and ceremonial visit. While relations between the UK and US appear strong overall — bolstered by a large tech investment deal and mutual cooperation — these comments underscore both policy disagreements and the challenge of addressing migration in domestic politics.
The push to use military force for immigration control, in particular, drew significant attention and debate among analysts. Critics warn such steps could undermine civil norms or legal processes, while supporters see strong measures as necessary responses to what they view as growing migration pressure.
On the Ukraine front, Trump’s disappointment with Putin, especially in public, may shift how both UK and US officials approach future negotiations or sanctions. Starmer’s alignment with more stern responses to Russian aggression appears reinforced by today’s remarks.
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