Rob Watson

that you would, if you like, give everything away to Vladimir Putin. And for his part, what President Trump was saying is, look, I do think there's going to be a deal. And if there's going to be one, it'll come soon. If not, it might not happen at all. But I mean, there's clearly some kind of distance still. It's obvious that.

that Donald Trump is prepared to trust Vladimir Putin, according to what he said, in a way that Zakir Starmer and other European leaders aren't. So they're still very nervous about what's lying underneath this. And, of course, the Brits and other Europeans would want a guarantee of security from the United States, which is not forthcoming at this point.

that Donald Trump is prepared to trust Vladimir Putin, according to what he said, in a way that Zakir Starmer and other European leaders aren't. So they're still very nervous about what's lying underneath this. And, of course, the Brits and other Europeans would want a guarantee of security from the United States, which is not forthcoming at this point.

But I guess the big question is, what kind of deal will be done in the end?

But I guess the big question is, what kind of deal will be done in the end?

In the sense that did he get a firm? They're not going to happen. No, he did not. There were warm words from Donald Trump about the possibility of a trade deal with the UK, which would do away with the need for any tariffs. But trade deals are notoriously difficult. So It's a bit like the whole issue of the deal on Ukraine. It's all a case, Jackie, of what comes next.

In the sense that did he get a firm? They're not going to happen. No, he did not. There were warm words from Donald Trump about the possibility of a trade deal with the UK, which would do away with the need for any tariffs. But trade deals are notoriously difficult. So It's a bit like the whole issue of the deal on Ukraine. It's all a case, Jackie, of what comes next.

So mood music, yes, it was clearly pretty good. The chemistry between the two men, pretty good. But whether it's on Ukraine, whether it's about the long-term security relationship between the United States and European countries like Britain, whether it's about tariffs, not just on the U.K., but on the European Union.

So mood music, yes, it was clearly pretty good. The chemistry between the two men, pretty good. But whether it's on Ukraine, whether it's about the long-term security relationship between the United States and European countries like Britain, whether it's about tariffs, not just on the U.K., but on the European Union.

I mean, in a way, it all depends on what happens next, because one of the things that's really, if you like, marked out this moment as being different is that the Americans and the Europeans have had their ups and downs over the years over security. One thinks of the Vietnam War or the war in Iraq.

I mean, in a way, it all depends on what happens next, because one of the things that's really, if you like, marked out this moment as being different is that the Americans and the Europeans have had their ups and downs over the years over security. One thinks of the Vietnam War or the war in Iraq.

But what really marks this moment out is disagreements over security, Russia, Ukraine, but also the economics as well with tariffs. So it depends on what happens next.

But what really marks this moment out is disagreements over security, Russia, Ukraine, but also the economics as well with tariffs. So it depends on what happens next.

Yes, well, it may be that all these kind of complex geopolitical issues, we're not going to know exactly what's going on for several weeks, months, maybe years to come, Jackie. But actually, on that one, you didn't need a crystal ball. Donald Trump was obviously clearly delighted. The Brits knew he was going to be delighted.

Yes, well, it may be that all these kind of complex geopolitical issues, we're not going to know exactly what's going on for several weeks, months, maybe years to come, Jackie. But actually, on that one, you didn't need a crystal ball. Donald Trump was obviously clearly delighted. The Brits knew he was going to be delighted.

And he's going to be coming for a state visit, the first person to get two state visits. I mean, he looked like he'd won the lottery.

And he's going to be coming for a state visit, the first person to get two state visits. I mean, he looked like he'd won the lottery.

I don't think there's any doubt, although Keir Starmer made the argument that what had really got the ball rolling was Russia's invasion of Ukraine three years ago, that this is all about being able to go to Washington and say to Donald Trump on Thursday, look, we Europeans, including we in the UK, we get it. We get the idea that you think that we should be spending more on our own security.

I don't think there's any doubt, although Keir Starmer made the argument that what had really got the ball rolling was Russia's invasion of Ukraine three years ago, that this is all about being able to go to Washington and say to Donald Trump on Thursday, look, we Europeans, including we in the UK, we get it. We get the idea that you think that we should be spending more on our own security.

And in return, of course, Sakhir Starmer and other European leaders want Donald Trump to think again about the wisdom of doing a quick deal with President Putin. And of course, they want him to continue to support Ukraine. I thought the tone was fascinating in the sense that he continued to stress on several occasions the importance of the UK's relationship with the United States.