By Oluwasore Alabi
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Russian President Vladimir Putin had “really let me down,” as he met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers on the final day of his state visit to the United Kingdom. The two leaders held talks on Ukraine, Gaza, trade, and security, ending the trip with the signing of a major tech deal.
Trump’s remarks mark a sharp turn in his public tone toward Putin. The American leader, who has often spoken of his personal relationship with the Russian president, admitted disappointment that the Ukraine war had not ended despite his efforts. By urging European countries to cut oil imports from Russia, Trump signaled a willingness to put more pressure on Moscow than in the past.
This shift will be welcomed by Kyiv and its allies, who have long pressed Washington for stronger commitments. Starmer, positioning himself as a bridge between Trump and Europe, appears to have influenced this new stance. Yet the test will be whether Trump’s tough words translate into lasting policy changes or remain diplomatic theater.
Beyond Ukraine, the visit also reflected Trump’s mixed global image. While he praised the UK as America’s closest ally and sealed a major deal on artificial intelligence and nuclear energy, thousands protested in London, showing deep divisions over his leadership. Trump’s comments on UK migration and Palestine also highlighted areas of disagreement with Starmer, exposing the complexities of their “genuine friendship.”
Still, the state visit delivered political benefits for both sides. Britain secured fresh investments and closer ties with Washington, while Trump projected statesmanship ahead of his re-election campaign. The symbolism of royal pageantry, combined with billion dollar pledges, gave the trip weight, even as controversies from Trump’s past, including links to the late Jeffrey Epstein, lingered in the background.
Trump’s public rebuke of Putin may be the headline, but the real question is whether it signals a new era of accountability in his foreign policy or merely another dramatic soundbite. For Europe, Ukraine, and the world, the stakes are too high for disappointment to become a pattern.
Follow us on all social media platforms @dailyquery for news and analyses around the globe.
