Summary

  • For technical reasons, we're moving our live coverage of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's dramatic visit to the White House to a new page - click this link to stay with us.

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Watch: From laughter to anger, how the meeting spiralled

  1. Five key takeaways from the Trump-Starmer news conferencepublished at 21:39 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Media caption,

    Trump is right that Europe must 'step up', says Starmer

    The leaders' news conference that just concluded in the East Room of the White House covered a wide range of different topics.

    We've summarised the five key moments:

    • On Ukraine: Donald Trump said peace in the country will come "fairly soon" or not "at all" and that "progress towards peace" will continue when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the White House tomorrow. He also praised Ukrainians' bravery
    • On Gaza: The US president said "we're working very hard" towards a lasting ceasefire, while Keir Starmer said "everything" must be done to ensure the ceasefire continues. He also reiterated the UK's long-held position that a two-state solution is the "only way" for lasting peace in the region
    • On defence spending: The US president praised the UK's hike in defence spending to 2.5% of the national income by 2027 - it's something Trump has long pushed his allies to commit to. Starmer, meanwhile, said Trump was right that Europe must "step up" on this front
    • Onthe special relationship: The leaders struck a friendly tone with one another. Trump started his speech with a nod to the "special relationship" between the two countries, something Starmer says "matters more than ever"
    • On a potential US-UK trade deal: This could be reached "fairly quickly", according to the US president. He later added that Starmer has been "working hard" to prevent the US from imposing tariffs on UK goods, something that Trump said he thinks won't be necessary
    Media caption,

    Trump praises Ukrainians' bravery before Zelensky meeting

  2. Trump ends with optimism on Ukraine peace and UK trade dealspublished at 21:25 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Before leaving the podium, and ending the news conference, Trump says: "I think we'll have two deals.

    "I think we'll have a deal on ending the war and I think we're going to end up with a great trade deal with you [the UK], and it's an honour to be with you and I want to thank everybody very much."

    • We'll have recaps, analysis, and fact-checks soon - stay with us
    Starmer and TrumpImage source, Getty Images
  3. Starmer asked: Is Putin trustworthy?published at 21:17 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Vladimir PutinImage source, Getty Images

    Starmer then responds to a question about whether Vladimir Putin is trustworthy.

    He says that his views on the Russian president are well-known, and describes how his concern is that if there is a deal it must be lasting, not a temporary measure.

  4. Trump envisages trade deal with UK, says tariffs won't be necessarypublished at 21:16 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Finally, Trump is asked whether he has been persuaded by Starmer not to put tariffs on the UK.

    Trump jokes that Starmer tried: "He was working hard... he earned whatever the hell they pay him over there."

    The president adds that he's receptive to Starmer's arguments, and says that he thinks we can arrive at a trade deal where tariffs won't be necessary.

    "I think there's a very good chance that in the case of these two great, friendly countries, I think we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn't be necessary. We'll see."

  5. Trump not drawn on security guaranteespublished at 21:13 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Donald Trump at podiumImage source, Getty Images

    Turning to Ukraine again, Trump is asked about what security guarantees could be in place to secure a peace deal.

    The president says he is "open to many things", but says he first wants to get Russia and Ukraine to agree a deal before being drawn on what measures would be in place to enforce it.

    Starmer is then asked for his thoughts on Trump's plans for Gaza, saying "everything" must be done to ensure the ceasefire continues, to allow aid in and the Palestinians to return home.

    He reiterates the UK's long-held position that a two-state solution is the "only way" for lasting peace in the region.

  6. Will there be a lasting ceasefire in Gaza?published at 21:11 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Trump is now asked if there will be a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. He says "we're working very hard".

    The US president says that people are seriously injured, adding "we'll see what happens" with a ceasefire.

    Starmer weighs in, saying that he's spoken to European nations and will soon meet with 18 countries to discuss stepping up the "defence and security" of the continent.

    two children push a trolley in Gaza amid rubbleImage source, Getty Images
  7. Will you apologise for calling Zelensky a 'dictator', Trump askedpublished at 21:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Media caption,

    Trump praises Ukrainians' bravery and says he has 'a lot of respect' for Zelensky

    ITV's Robert Peston asks Trump if he will apologise to Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky for calling him a "dictator" while praising Putin.

    Starmer says he's been very clear that the UK and other European countries need to step up and that the UK plays its full part in ensuring there is a lasting peace deal in Ukraine.

    Trump says "we're going to have a very good meeting tomorrow", referring to Zelensky's visit on Friday. He says he has "a lot of respect" for the Ukrainian leader.

    He also praises Ukrainians' bravery, saying: "We've given him [Zelensky] a lot of equipment and a lot of money, but they have fought very bravely.

    "Somebody has to use that equipment, and they have been very brave in that sense."

    (In case you missed it: Asked by the BBC's Chris Mason earlier about his calling Zelensky a "dictator", Trump replied: "Did I say that? I can't believe I would say that". More on this here.)

  8. Minerals deal will be mutually beneficial, US president insistspublished at 21:05 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    ZelenksyImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Donald Trump in Washington DC tomorrow

    The next question is on the rare minerals deal that the US is reportedly set to agree with Ukraine.

    The reporter asks Trump how much the US expects to receive from mining the minerals, and how long it might take to see this return.

    The president says that we are never going to know this answer, but adds that by being in Ukraine, "we'll be doing a substantial amount of work".

    He says he hopes to get back at least what the US put in to Ukraine, and says that the deal will be beneficial for both countries.

  9. Does Trump support Nato Article 5?published at 21:04 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Starmer and TrumpImage source, Getty Images

    The US president is asked if he supports of Nato's Article 5 (that members will come to the defence of an ally which comes under attack).

    Trump says he does "support it", but he doesn't think "we're going to have any reason for it".

    "I think we're going to have a very successful peace", he adds.

    The president says he wants it on a "humane basis" and because he doesn't want to pay billions "on a senseless war that should have never happened".

    Starmer is asked about the "backstop" he has suggested is needed in any peace deal. The prime minister says they had a "very productive discussion" but a "deal has to come first" and discussions are needed about how to get that to "stick".

  10. Starmer 'concerned' about BBC Gaza documentarypublished at 21:00 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Starmer is asked if he still trusts the BBC after it apologised and admitted "serious flaws" in the making of a documentary about children's lives in Gaza.

    "I've been concerned about the programme in question," Starmer says.

    "The secretary of state had a meeting with the BBC - I think it was yesterday, could have been the day before."

  11. Is the UK at the back of the queue on trade deal?published at 20:58 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    A reporter asks Trump if he agrees with former US president Barack Obama that Britain is at the "back of the queue" on a trade deal.

    Trump says he believes that a trade deal will be reached "fairly quickly".

    Donald TrumpImage source, Reuters
  12. Trump: 'I would have been president 20 years ago if I had that accent'published at 20:56 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Finally, Starmer goes back to addressing the letter he brought with him from the King - read the contents in full here.

    He says this is an "unprecedented second state visit" and adds that he is delighted to be able to go back to the King with news that Trump has accepted.

    "What a beautiful accent", Trump says, just as Starmer finishes. "I would have been president 20 years ago if I had that accent."

    With that, we're onto questions from the press. Stay with us as we continue to fire out the key lines - hit watch live above to follow along.

  13. 'A fair, balanced and reciprocal trade relationship'published at 20:54 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Trump and Starmer shake handsImage source, Getty Images

    The UK and US have £1.5tn ($1.89tn) invested in each other's economies, Starmer says.

    "Our trading relationship not just strong", he says, but "fair, balanced and reciprocal".

    Work has begun on a "new economic deal" between the countries with "advanced technology at its core", he adds.

    They "shaped" tech innovation throughout the last century, Starmer says, and now has a "chance to do that" for the next one.

  14. Trump right that Europe must step up, says Starmerpublished at 20:52 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Starmer says he and Trump talked about achieving a peace deal in Ukraine that was "tough and fair" .

    He says Trump is right that Europe must "step up" on defence spending , adding that he sees the growing threat that they face.

    Starmer says the UK will be giving Ukraine more aid then ever before this year, adding that the UK is one of the biggest spenders in Nato.

    Keir StarmerImage source, Getty Images
  15. US-UK relationship matters more than ever - Starmerpublished at 20:49 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    "In a moment of real danger around the world," Starmer says, "this relationship matters more than ever".

    The two countries "remain each other's first partner in defence", and "no two militaries are more intertwined than ours".

    The prime minister talks about the anniversary of VE day coming up on 8 May.

    "Britain and America fought side-by-side to make that happen," he says.

    "We stand side-by-side still today, and we're focused now on bringing an enduring end to the barbaric war in Ukraine."

  16. Starmer thanks Trump for 'commitment' to achieving peace in Ukrainepublished at 20:48 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    "You have created a moment of tremendous opportunity to reach a historic peace deal," Starmer tells Trump.

    He adds that there can't be a peace that awards the aggressor.

    History must be on the side of the peacemaker, the prime minister adds, as he stresses the stakes couldn't be higher.

  17. 'A true friend in the Oval Office' - Starmerpublished at 20:44 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    It's Prime Minister Keir Starmer's turn to speak.

    He thanks Trump for his hospitality and his leadership, calling it a "very good and productive visit".

    Starmer references Trump's family roots in Scotland, calling the president a "true friend in the Oval Office".

  18. US president praises UK defence spending hikepublished at 20:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    Media caption,

    Trump congratulates Starmer on increasing UK defence spending

    Trump continues, saying that the next step in Ukraine is achieving a ceasefire quickly.

    He says his talks will lay the groundwork for a long-term peace agreement and bring stability to eastern Europe.

    He congratulates Starmer for announcing that Britain would raise UK defence spending to 2.5% of the national income by 2027.

    After years of underfunding, there's a need to catch up, Trump says.

    The president also says there will be a "great" trade agreement for both countries.

    "We're working on that as we speak".

  19. Deal a basis for 'more sustainable relationship' with Ukraine - Trumppublished at 20:40 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    The minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine "will provide the basis for a more sustainable future relationship" between the two countries, Trump says.

    It will "stimulate long-term prosperity", he adds, and help the country to rebuild. The country has been "demolished" and now has infrastructure in "very bad shape", Trump says.

    The president reiterates his well-worn claim that his administration has achieved "more progress" in one month than his predecessor , Joe Biden, did during his whole presidential term.

    "Our approach is basically common sense", he says.

  20. On minerals deal, Trump says: 'We'll be dig, dig, digging'published at 20:38 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February

    US President Donald Trump continues to deliver his statement to the press in the East Room.

    He says that "progress towards peace" in Ukraine will continue tomorrow when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the White House to sign an agreement on sharing his country's mineral resources with the US.

    "We'll be dig, dig, digging," Trump says.

    He says that the deal will operate as a reimbursement for US military assistance to Ukraine. Trump calls the defence of Ukraine a "worthy" thing to do.