British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is visiting the White House to try to convince US President Donald Trump that a lasting peace in Ukraine will endure only if Kyiv and European leaders are at the table as negotiations move forward with Moscow.

During his meeting on Thursday (Friday AEDT) at the White House, Starmer is expected to try to convince Trump that a lasting peace in Ukraine will endure only if Kyiv and European leaders are at the table as negotiations move forward with Moscow.

Starmer’s trip, coming a few days after French President Emmanuel Macron’s own visit, reflects the mounting concern felt by much of Europe that Trump’s aggressive push to find an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine signals his willingness to concede too much to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We’re going to do the best we can to make the best deal we can for both sides,” Trump said on Wednesday as he held the first Cabinet meeting of his second term.

“For Ukraine, we’re going to try very hard to make a good deal so that they can get as much (land) back as possible.”

Soon after he arrived at the White House, Starmer handed Trump a letter from King Charles III inviting the US President for an unprecedented second state visit to the UK.

Trump was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II when visited the UK during his first administration in 2018.

The US President accepted the invitation, making him the first elected political leader in modern times to be hosted for two state visits by a British monarch.

“This is a very special letter,” Starmer said.

Trump said he accepted the invitation.

When Starmer arrived at the White House, Trump shook the British prime minister’s hand to greet him.

Asked how confident he was in getting a deal with Ukraine and Russia, Trump said, “We can. We will.”

The president then gave a thumbs-up before heading inside for the meeting, which is set to be one of the most significant days of the UK leader’s seven months in office as he tries to push for US security guarantees for Ukraine.

British officials are nervous but optimistic about the talks, citing Trump’s affection for Britain — land of his mother’s birth and location of two of his golf courses — and the genuine warmth between the president and Starmer in their few meetings and calls.

The British side hopes Trump’s respect for Starmer’s directness and lack of pretension will let the prime minister raise difficult questions without raising the temperature.