Cabot Phillips

Now, as you talked about yesterday, in the fallout of Friday's meeting, European leaders rallied around Ukraine, taking open shots at the U.S., accusing Trump of siding with Putin and abandoning democracy. For their part, White House officials were quick to point out that the European Union actually gave more money to Russia last year than to Ukraine.

Now, as you talked about yesterday, in the fallout of Friday's meeting, European leaders rallied around Ukraine, taking open shots at the U.S., accusing Trump of siding with Putin and abandoning democracy. For their part, White House officials were quick to point out that the European Union actually gave more money to Russia last year than to Ukraine.

The EU purchased $23 billion worth of Russian oil and gas in 2024 compared to the $19 billion in military and financial aid to Ukraine. So they're essentially calling the Europeans hypocrites. And it's worth noting that here stateside, the American public does seem to back Trump's approach to ending the war.

The EU purchased $23 billion worth of Russian oil and gas in 2024 compared to the $19 billion in military and financial aid to Ukraine. So they're essentially calling the Europeans hypocrites. And it's worth noting that here stateside, the American public does seem to back Trump's approach to ending the war.

According to a new CBS poll, Trump has a net approval rating of plus two on Russia-Ukraine. When President Biden left office, he was at negative 22%.

According to a new CBS poll, Trump has a net approval rating of plus two on Russia-Ukraine. When President Biden left office, he was at negative 22%.

Well, he's almost certain to touch on Ukraine, but more broadly, from what we're hearing, the president is going to tout his efforts to fulfill campaign promises and reverse course from the Biden administration. Specifically, expect to hear him focus a good chunk of time on immigration, where we've seen perhaps the most drastic turnaround.

Well, he's almost certain to touch on Ukraine, but more broadly, from what we're hearing, the president is going to tout his efforts to fulfill campaign promises and reverse course from the Biden administration. Specifically, expect to hear him focus a good chunk of time on immigration, where we've seen perhaps the most drastic turnaround.

According to the latest government data, in the month of February, there were just 8,450 illegal crossings along the southern border. For context, last February, that number was 140,000. It's now 8,000. That means that Trump's first full month in office saw the lowest number of illegal border crossings for any month since, get this, 1968. Wow.

According to the latest government data, in the month of February, there were just 8,450 illegal crossings along the southern border. For context, last February, that number was 140,000. It's now 8,000. That means that Trump's first full month in office saw the lowest number of illegal border crossings for any month since, get this, 1968. Wow.

Trump vowed to secure the border on the campaign trail. He's clearly doing just that. A stunning turnaround. We'll certainly hear about that when he takes the podium this evening.

Trump vowed to secure the border on the campaign trail. He's clearly doing just that. A stunning turnaround. We'll certainly hear about that when he takes the podium this evening.

Well, the heart of things focused on Ukraine. Speaking ahead of their Thursday meeting, Starmer said, quote, my concern is if there is a ceasefire without a backstop, it will simply give Putin the opportunity to wait and to come again. For his part, Trump says that this new minerals deal with Zelensky will serve as a de facto security guarantee. Here he is during Thursday's meeting.

Well, the heart of things focused on Ukraine. Speaking ahead of their Thursday meeting, Starmer said, quote, my concern is if there is a ceasefire without a backstop, it will simply give Putin the opportunity to wait and to come again. For his part, Trump says that this new minerals deal with Zelensky will serve as a de facto security guarantee. Here he is during Thursday's meeting.

More broadly, Trump argues that if Europe is worried about Ukrainian security, then they need to step up their own defense spending. He's called for NATO members to raise defense spending to 5% of their GDP. Stormer responded this week by announcing they'd be increasing their spending to 2.5% of their GDP by 2027 and then 3% by 2025.

More broadly, Trump argues that if Europe is worried about Ukrainian security, then they need to step up their own defense spending. He's called for NATO members to raise defense spending to 5% of their GDP. Stormer responded this week by announcing they'd be increasing their spending to 2.5% of their GDP by 2027 and then 3% by 2025.

And while Starmer has made clear in the past he's not a big fan of Trump, he turned on the charm Thursday, saying Trump was the only reason peace in Ukraine was possible and offering him an invitation from King Charles. Have a listen.

And while Starmer has made clear in the past he's not a big fan of Trump, he turned on the charm Thursday, saying Trump was the only reason peace in Ukraine was possible and offering him an invitation from King Charles. Have a listen.

The two also reportedly discussed tariffs. Starmer, like the rest of the world, is looking to avoid Trump's threat of tariffs. But the president said he's not going to budge unless the UK and others lower their own tariffs. He said Thursday that reciprocal tariffs will officially go into effect on April 2nd.

The two also reportedly discussed tariffs. Starmer, like the rest of the world, is looking to avoid Trump's threat of tariffs. But the president said he's not going to budge unless the UK and others lower their own tariffs. He said Thursday that reciprocal tariffs will officially go into effect on April 2nd.