A 'beautiful' accent and peace deals: Top five moments from Trump and Starmer's press conference

All eyes have been on Sir Keir Starmer as he held the most consequential news conference of his premiership so far.

By Donald Trump's own admission, Sir Keir's first trip to Washington as prime minister got off to an "outstanding start".

The love-in between the prime minister and the US president continued on stage, as they heaped praise on each other and paid tribute to the special relationship.

Here Sky News takes you through the key moments from the conference.

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Ukraine deal still in the balance

Sir Keir's defining mission on this trip has been to try and persuade Mr Trump to provide a security guarantee for Ukraine in any peace deal reached with Russia, so that Vladimir Putin does not invade its neighbour again following an initial ceasefire.

It appears that no such deal has yet been reached - but the US president did say the White House was "working towards a very achievable ceasefire in Ukraine".

"If you want peace, you have to talk both sides," he said - which has not been the approach of the international community. "The next step we are making is toward a very achievable ceasefire."

However, in language that may sound alarm in Kyiv, Mr Trump said: "If it doesn't happen quickly, it may not happen at all."

That statement may spark fear that the US president would be prepared to do a deal at any cost which would favour Vladimir Putin at the expense of Ukraine.

By contrast, Sir Keir struck a different tone and said: "History must be on the side of the peacemaker, not the invader."

'Very good chance' of trade deal - and maybe no tariffs?

The main news takeaway from the conference was about trade.

Sir Keir has been at pains to charm Mr Trump into striking a good trade deal with the UK, following the wilderness years under former president Barack Obama when the UK was famously "at the back of the queue".

As part of that, the prime minister is hoping the US will not impose punitive tariffs on the UK, as it minded to do with close neighbour Canada - because any such move would make his mission to grow the economy nigh on impossible.

Asked if Sir Keir had convinced him not to impose trade tariffs on the UK, Mr Trump said to laughter: "He tried."

"He was working hard, I'll tell you that," he joked. "He earned whatever the hell they pay him over there, but he tried."

He added: "I think there's a very good chance that in the case of these two great, friendly countries, I think we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn't be necessary. We'll see."

Talking of Canada...

Uh oh, Canada

Sir Keir was asked about the president's recent comments about wanting to make Canada the 51st US state.

The prime minister gave the question short shrift, saying: "I think you're trying to find a divide between us that simply doesn't exist.

"We're the closest of nations, and we had very good discussions today, but we didn't discuss Canada."

'What a beautiful accent'

More praise came when Sir Keir said the UK was "ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air" to support a deal on Ukraine working with allies.

"That is the only way peace will last," he added

As he wrapped up his speech, Mr Trump remarked: "What a beautiful accent.

"I would have been president 20 years ago if I had that accent."

Read more:
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What does the King's letter to Trump say?

In it to win it

Throughout the conference, Sir Keir spoke in language that at times felt alien to his personality - he spoke in Trump rhetoric and appealed to his competitive spirit.

"We believe it's not taking part that counts," he said.

"What counts is winning. If you don't win, you don't deliver.

"We're both in a hurry to get things done. And that's what the UK and US do - when we work together, we win and we get things done."

(c) Sky News 2025: A 'beautiful' accent and peace deals: Top five moments from Trump and Starmer's press conference