President Donald Trump said Thursday he is confident that Russian leader Vladimir Putin will "keep his word" if a deal is reached to end the war in Ukraine.
Mr. Trump made the comments during an exchange with reporters at the start of his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House.
The US president said talks with Russia and Ukraine on a peace deal "have progressed well" and praised Russia for its stance in the talks.
"I think Russia has done very well... I think we've made very good progress on the deal, but we haven't reached a deal yet," Mr. Trump said.
When asked if Mr. Putin could be trusted, President Trump replied: "Trust and verify."
Prime Minister Starmer is visiting the United States, trying to convince President Trump that a lasting peace in Ukraine is only possible if Kiev and European leaders are at the negotiating table with Moscow.
Mr Starmer has called on the United States to provide a security guarantee for any European force that could take part in a possible peacekeeping role in Ukraine at the conclusion of peace talks, which Mr Trump has called for since taking office last month.
President Trump said he would not discuss the details of a peacekeeping force without a deal being reached.
The British Prime Minister thanked President Trump for paving the way for "the possibility of a peace deal."
His visit, which comes days after that of French President Emmanuel Macron, reflects growing concern in Europe that Mr. Trump's push to end Russia's war in Ukraine as quickly as possible signals his willingness to make concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will visit the White House on Friday and is expected to sign a deal with Mr. Trump on critical Ukrainian minerals. President Trump said the deal would be a security guarantee for Ukraine.
On Thursday, Mr Starmer extended an invitation for a state visit to President Trump on behalf of King Charles, which Mr Trump accepted.
The British Prime Minister said the invitation for a second state visit, given his first such visit during Mr. Trump's first term, is "historic" and "unprecedented."/ VOA
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