Trump says Putin let him down on Ukraine peace talks as Starmer says dictator has shown his true face

President Donald Trump said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin “let me down” on Ukraine peace talks during a joint press conference with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer after a wide-ranging meeting at Chequers in Aylesbury, central England. The leaders used the occasion to announce multibillion-dollar US-UK tech and nuclear power agreements, framing the visit as a display of allied cooperation even as they sparred over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Starmer, ahead of Trump in the briefing, said Putin has shown his true face in pursuing a negotiated end to the war. Trump responded that he had hoped the conflict might be among the easiest to resolve among Europe’s current crises, signaling that his approach to diplomacy with Russia remains unsettled as Kyiv seeks a durable settlement.

The Chequers meeting, described by officials as a practical summit, featured a ceremonial signing of agreements aimed at deepening technology cooperation and expanding nuclear energy ties between the two nations. While the two leaders touted the benefits of closer collaboration on science and industry, their public remarks highlighted lingering disagreements over Ukraine, sanctions, and Moscow’s broader international aims.

Starmer’s comments underscored a hardening stance on Putin’s handling of the war, with the British prime minister portraying the Russian leader as having “shown his true face.” Trump, for his part, expressed doubt about the trajectory of peace talks, a stance that echoes his previous public statements about Russia and Ukraine and his willingness to pursue talks even as the conflict persists.

Observers noted that Thursday’s event at Chequers served a dual purpose: to project unity between Washington and London on strategic global issues while keeping the door open to diplomacy with Moscow. The joint appearance came as Washington and its allies continue to press for a pathway to end the war, and as Kyiv authorities call for a credible security framework and accountability for those responsible for aggression.

The agreements announced at Chequers reflect a broader effort by the United States and the United Kingdom to align on technology standards and nuclear options, signaling continued cooperation on infrastructure, research, and defense-related industries. Details of the multibillion-dollar packages were not fully disclosed, but officials described them as forward-looking, aiming to bolster innovation and resilience in critical sectors.

Trump’s comments about Putin’s performance in peace talks are part of a long-running, sometimes contradictory, narrative about Russia in his diplomacy. While he has repeatedly expressed willingness to engage with Moscow to broker settlements, his remarks at Chequers suggested frustration with the pace and terms of any potential agreement, a stance that may complicate the administration’s push for a unified Western position.

As the leaders emerged from the talks, U.K. officials emphasized that despite occasional tensions on policy, the U.S.-UK partnership remains robust across a wide range of global challenges, from security to trade to technology. Kyiv cautions, meanwhile, continue to weigh the prospects for a negotiated settlement, seeking guarantees on territorial integrity and long-term regional security as conditions for any formal agreement.