On Gaza, Trump reiterated his concern about hostages held by Hamas, warning against their use as human shields. He stopped short of demanding an immediate end to the war, aligning with his broader strategy of maintaining strong support for Israel while avoiding definitive commitments. Trump acknowledged that Britain’s planned recognition of a Palestinian state was one of the “few disagreements” he had with Starmer.
Starmer, for his part, condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “intolerable.” He stressed the urgency of freeing hostages but linked Britain’s policy on recognition to a broader plan for peace—one that envisioned both a safe and secure Israel and a viable Palestinian state. His remarks reflected Labour’s attempt to balance moral responsibility, domestic political pressures, and international expectations.
On Ukraine, both leaders struck a common note, agreeing that Russian President Vladimir Putin must face greater pressure to end the war. Neither, however, committed to new sanctions. Trump suggested that falling oil prices would eventually force Putin’s hand, predicting that “Putin is going to drop out” of the war if energy revenues decline. The statement reflected Trump’s characteristic reliance on economic levers over military escalation.
