Starmer Praises Trump’s Role in Securing ‘Landmark’ Ceasefire in Gaza

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (AFP)  
US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (AFP)  
TT

Starmer Praises Trump’s Role in Securing ‘Landmark’ Ceasefire in Gaza

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (AFP)  
US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (AFP)  

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday praised the role of US President Donald Trump for securing a “landmark” ceasefire in Gaza, during a call between the two leaders.

“They discussed the importance of working together for security in the Middle East,” Downing Street said in a statement.

It noted that the Prime Minister paid tribute to Trump’s role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The US President meanwhile welcomed the release of the recently freed British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari.

The 28-year-old was one of three hostages released last week after being held for 15 months.

Starmer and Trump also “agreed to meet soon,” Downing Street said, stressing “the importance of the close and warm ties” between the two countries.

Trump, a longtime fan of Britain’s monarchy, also “expressed his well wishes for the British Royal Family,” the White House said.

Asked on board Air Force One about his relationship with Keir, Trump said Starmer has done a “very good job thus far” and that the pair have a “very good relationship.”

Britain’s new Labor government, elected in July, has spent months trying to build bridges with Trump’s team.

It has refrained from criticizing decisions taken by the Republican billionaire since his return to the White House last Monday.

 

 

 



Zelenskiy Urges Trump to Be on Ukraine’s Side, Says Putin Not Afraid of Europe 

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
TT

Zelenskiy Urges Trump to Be on Ukraine’s Side, Says Putin Not Afraid of Europe 

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)

Ukraine needed broader security guarantees and Russian President Vladimir Putin was not afraid of Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Fox News in an interview in which he urged US President Donald Trump to be on Ukraine's side.

Trump, who took office on Jan. 20, has promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war soon, without saying how. Aides have suggested that a deal could take months.

Trump has expressed willingness to speak to Putin about ending the war, a contrast with the administration of Democratic former President Joe Biden, who shunned the Russian leader.

Trump's election win in November had sparked hope of a diplomatic resolution to end Moscow's invasion of Ukraine that began in Feb. 2022, but it also led to fears in Kyiv that a quick peace deal could come at a high price for Ukraine.

"We want him (Trump) to be on the side of justice, on the side of Ukraine," Zelenskiy said in the interview aired on Tuesday night. "Putin is not afraid of Europe."

Zelenskiy added Ukraine cannot recognize Russia's occupation, but it preferred a diplomatic resolution.

The White House had no immediate comment.

After the Russian invasion began, the United States under Biden committed over $175 billion in aid for Ukraine, including over $60 billion in security assistance. It was uncertain if the aid would continue at that pace under Trump.