A trade agreement between the US and UK could be reached “very quickly,” President Donald Trump said during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the White House.

Speaking during Sir Keir’s visit, Trump outlined his vision for “a real trade deal” that could help the UK avoid tariffs similar to those imposed on other US trading partners. The visit was a crucial moment for Sir Keir as he sought to shape Trump’s policies on key issues, including trade and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Sir Keir began his White House trip by presenting Trump with a letter from King Charles, inviting him for an “unprecedented” second state visit to the UK. Traditionally, US presidents receive only one such visit. Accepting the invitation in the Oval Office, Trump described it as a “great honour” and praised the King as “a wonderful man.”

Following the formalities, Trump and Sir Keir took questions from reporters for 30 minutes. Trump dominated the discussion, addressing topics ranging from a potential Ukraine peace deal to negotiations between the UK and Mauritius over the Chagos Islands.

En route to Washington, Sir Keir reaffirmed his stance on sending British troops to Ukraine as part of a peace settlement. He cautioned that without US security guarantees, Russian President Vladimir Putin might attempt to reinvade Ukraine. Asked whether he would provide such assurances, Trump suggested a minerals agreement he plans to sign with Ukraine on Friday could serve as a “backstop.”

“Nobody will play around” if US workers are in Ukraine under the minerals deal, Trump stated.

The US president was also questioned about his previous remark calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator.” Initially surprised, he responded, “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that.” He later clarified that he has “a lot of respect” for Zelensky, whom he is set to meet in Washington, D.C., on Friday.