WASHINGTON – British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer said the agreement that President Donald Trump is pursuing Ukraine’s mineral rights involves repaying some of the $500 billion military aid the US sent in support of the country’s war with Russia.
Starmer, who met with Trump at the White House on Thursday to discuss efforts on the Russian-Ukraine war and the potential trade deal with the US, said in an interview with NBC News Lester Holt that the economic ties between Washington and Kiev could be considered a form of security.
“I can see the value of the approach in relation to minerals,” Starmer said in an interview. “It’s a problem between President Trump and President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy. But I can see very clearly the argument that President Trump is doing in relation to minerals. Also, when there is a trade in minerals, I can see the validity of his point when I say that the US has economic benefits to Ukraine.
He added, “it is an important aspect in itself.”
Check out the full interview tonight at 6:30pm and 5:30pm on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.
Trump has spoken out about his interest in resolving a long-standing conflict in Ukraine, and spoke about the multi-billion dollar compensation for the aid that Washington has provided Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Earlier that day, Trump warned that the peace deal “when it doesn’t happen soon, it may not happen at all.”
The Trump Conference of Priority comes at a sensitive time for Britain as the Prime Minister pledges to send British troops to Ukraine to ensure “lasting peace” if peace cooperation is reached with Russia.
“They couldn’t get higher,” the star said at a joint press conference with Trump at the White House. He said it is essential that Ukraine is “supported by the strength that Russian President Vladimir) Putin will return more.”
The priority standing by Trump advocated resting Russian ambitions and committing to restricting “boots and airplanes in the sky” to Ukrainian territory.
Trump praised his priorities and greeted him warmly at several points throughout the day. The two leaders held bilateral meetings, continuing the discussions on Ukraine and the possibility of a lunch trade deal, Trump said at a press conference.
The priority is “special man,” Trump said, adding that he would “be famous.”
The meeting took place one day before the president was scheduled to meet with Zelensky of Washington, as Trump hopes the US and Ukraine can sign an agreement on rare mineral rights.
