Trump Says Putin Has Let Him Down as UK Visit Ends
Former US President Donald Trump ended his second state visit to the UK with a strong rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the Kremlin leader had “really let me down” over the war in Ukraine. The remark came after wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, marking the close of a historic three-day visit filled with diplomacy, royal pageantry, and major economic deals.
Trump, who once claimed his close ties with Putin could help end the Ukraine conflict, admitted during a joint press conference with Starmer that the war had proven far more difficult to resolve than he expected. “I thought Ukraine would be the easiest to fix because of my relationship with President Putin,” Trump said. “But he’s let me down. He’s really let me down.”
The talks between Trump and Starmer focused heavily on global conflicts, particularly Ukraine and Gaza. Starmer, seeking to strengthen Europe’s position, pushed for greater US commitments to Kyiv. His efforts appeared to resonate with Trump, who urged European nations to stop buying Russian oil, arguing that such action could force Putin to scale back the war.
The leaders also clashed on Middle East policy. While Trump praised the growing bond between the US and UK, he admitted to a rare disagreement with Starmer over Britain’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state. Trump also weighed in on UK migration, telling reporters he had advised Starmer to stop illegal crossings “even if it means using the military.”
Despite differences, the meeting produced major economic cooperation. Both leaders signed a landmark tech partnership focusing on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and nuclear energy. The deal, attended by top US executives from Microsoft, Google, and Blackstone, is tied to £150 billion ($205 billion) of American investment into the UK. Starmer described it as “the best trade deal” Britain has signed with the US.
Earlier, Trump was hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, where he praised the monarch as “a great gentleman and a great king.” The state visit featured full royal honors, including gun salutes, bagpipes, and traditional ceremonies. At the official banquet, Trump said the visit was “one of the highest honours of my life,” while Charles urged global leaders to prioritize environmental protection for future generations.
Starmer, aware of Trump’s admiration for Winston Churchill, also led the former president on a tour of Churchill artifacts at Chequers. Analysts say this gesture was designed to deepen personal ties between the two men while building trust on sensitive global issues.
The visit, however, was not without controversy. Protests followed Trump across London, with more than 5,000 people marching against his policies and past controversies. Starmer himself faced domestic political tension after sacking his ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, over links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein — an issue that has also resurfaced around Trump in recent weeks.
As Trump departed for Washington, both governments emphasized the strengthened “unbreakable bond” between the US and UK. With new trade deals, deeper alignment on Ukraine, and closer personal relations between Trump and Starmer, the visit ended with both sides claiming progress despite disagreements.
