US and UK Differ on Postwar Ukraine Security Guarantees... Trump Says "Did I Call Zelensky a Dictator?"

U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed differences in their positions on security guarantees after the end of the Ukraine war during a summit held at the White House on the 27th (local time). When asked by reporters about his recent remark calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator," President Trump nonchalantly responded, "Did I say that?" and brushed off the question.

원본보기 아이콘

In his opening remarks at the meeting, President Trump reaffirmed Zelensky's visit to the U.S. on the 28th and stated that the U.S. and Ukraine would "sign together" a mineral agreement.

He described the agreement as a "backstop" for Ukraine, saying, "If we are handling rare earth minerals there with many workers, no one will dare to mess with it."

Regarding the peace negotiations between the U.S. and Russia, he said, "If we negotiate, I am confident it will hold," and mentioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin "would not break his promises." He added, "Russia is behaving very well," emphasizing that "the peace agreement is progressing."

President Trump reiterated his negative stance on Ukraine's demand to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as one of the conditions for the peace negotiations. He also mentioned that a peace agreement must be reached first before deploying a European peacekeeping force to guarantee Ukraine's security. When asked by reporters whether the U.S. would provide military support for the UK's deployment of peacekeepers, he replied, "The UK does not need much help," once again rejecting Ukraine's demand for the deployment of peacekeepers, including U.S. troops.

원본보기 아이콘

When asked by reporters if he still believed in his recent remark calling President Zelensky a "dictator who did not hold elections," President Trump evaded the question by saying, "Did I say that? Unbelievable. Let's move on to the next question."

Prime Minister Starmer positively evaluated President Trump's push for peace negotiations on Ukraine but emphasized the need for solid security guarantees.

He said, "We will work together to ensure that the peace agreement continues and remains a historic negotiation that no one can violate," adding, "We will talk with President Trump to make sure the (peace) negotiations are not violated." He also implied the necessity of security guarantees to prevent Russia from re-invading Ukraine, saying, "If the negotiations are concluded, it is important to maintain them."

On the plane to the U.S. the previous day, Prime Minister Starmer expressed concern to reporters, saying, "A ceasefire without security guarantees only gives him (President Putin) a chance to wait and come back again," and noted, "His ambitions regarding Ukraine are clear."

Additionally, Prime Minister Starmer presented President Trump with an invitation for a state visit from King Charles III of the United Kingdom. President Trump responded, "I will visit in the near future."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.