London, UK — U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for “really letting me down” during his final day of a historic state visit to the United Kingdom. Trump made the remarks on Thursday after wide-ranging talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence.
The meeting followed a day of royal pageantry at Windsor Castle, where King Charles III hosted Trump with full state honours. Discussions between Trump and Starmer focused heavily on global security challenges, particularly the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Starmer, positioning himself as a bridge between Washington and Europe, pressed for stronger international pressure on Moscow. Trump, once confident his ties with Putin could help end the war, admitted his disappointment.
“I thought Ukraine would be the easiest to solve because of my relationship with President Putin,” Trump told reporters. “But he’s let me down. He’s really let me down.”
The U.S. president also urged European nations to halt Russian oil imports, insisting that cutting Moscow’s revenue would weaken Putin’s war effort.
Trade and Tech Cooperation
Despite differences on issues such as the UK’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state, Trump praised the “unbreakable bond” between the U.S. and Britain. The two leaders signed a major technology agreement covering artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and nuclear energy.
The deal, attended by top American tech executives, builds on £150 billion ($205 billion) in U.S. investment commitments from companies including Microsoft, Google, and Blackstone.
Starmer, striking a warm tone with the 79-year-old president, described Trump as a leader he “genuinely likes,” noting their strong working relationship had already yielded trade benefits.
Immigration and Domestic Politics
Trump did not shy away from weighing in on UK domestic issues, offering blunt advice on illegal migration.
“I told the Prime Minister I would stop it — even if it meant calling in the military,” he said.
Meanwhile, Starmer faces political turbulence at home after dismissing his Washington ambassador, Peter Mandelson, over links to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein — an association that has also resurfaced in relation to Trump.
Royal Pageantry and Public Protests
Trump’s second state visit to Britain — an honour previously extended in 2019 — was marked by ceremonial splendour. King Charles III lauded Trump’s peace efforts in Ukraine while urging action on climate change for future generations.
The First Lady, Melania Trump, participated in separate events with Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine at Windsor, while the president toured Churchill artifacts at Chequers, appealing to his admiration for the wartime leader.
Yet outside the royal pomp, public dissent was evident. An estimated 5,000 demonstrators marched in central London to protest Trump’s visit.
Concluding his trip, Trump expressed gratitude:
“This is truly one of the highest honours of my life,” he said at Wednesday’s state banquet.
The U.S. president departed for Washington later on Thursday, leaving behind strengthened economic ties with Britain and a sharper rebuke of Vladimir Putin than he has previously voiced.