Israel–Gaza issue is complicated but will be resolved; we want to take back Bagram Airbase from Afghanistan: Trump
Recognition of a Palestinian state is part of the package, the war in Gaza must end: British PM and US President joint press conference
US and UK sign technology partnership agreement
LONDON (Sabah News) – The US President and British Prime Minister said in a joint press conference that they are working to end the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, adding that Putin has been a huge disappointment, and while the Israel–Gaza matter is complicated, it will be resolved.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that recognizing a Palestinian state is part of a package, and expressed hope that this grave situation will lead to a two-state solution. He stressed that aid must be ensured in Gaza.
According to Qatar-based Al Jazeera, at his Chequers residence in Buckinghamshire, during the joint news conference with US President Donald Trump, Keir Starmer said: “Together we are working to end the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East by delivering aid, securing the release of hostages, and ultimately returning Israel and the region to a comprehensive plan that can bring peace and security to both Israelis and Palestinians.”
After discussing the Middle East, Starmer added that Britain and America are also working to end the bloodshed in Ukraine. He said Putin has revealed his true face in recent days, carrying out the largest attack so far in the Ukraine war, leading to more bloodshed, more innocent deaths, and unprecedented violations of NATO’s airspace—actions not befitting someone who claims to want peace.
During the news conference, President Donald Trump said the US is sending many weapons to NATO, that NATO is fully paying for them, and that America is doing a great job of providing what is needed. He praised NATO for raising its members’ defense spending target from 2% to 5%.
Speaking on Russia, Trump said Putin had really disappointed him. He added that the US had brought seven wars to an end—wars that were thought unsolvable, neither through negotiations nor otherwise. He said the one war he had thought would be the easiest to resolve was the Russia–Ukraine conflict, given his relationship with President Putin, but Putin had disappointed him—really disappointed him.
Trump further said: “We are working very hard on Israel and Gaza. It’s complicated, but it will be resolved.”
On the question of recognizing Palestine, Starmer said: “We fully agree on the need for peace and a roadmap, because the situation in Gaza is unbearable. The hostages have been held for far too long and must be freed. We must accelerate aid delivery into Gaza. And in the context of a peace plan, recognition must be considered.” He added: “This is part of an overall package that we hope will take us out of this horrific situation toward a safe and peaceful Israel and a viable Palestinian state.”
However, Trump disagreed on this point. Asked about Britain’s plan to join dozens of other countries in recognizing a Palestinian state, Trump initially gave a lengthy answer crediting himself for the release of Israeli captives from Gaza and reaffirming his support for Israel’s continuation of the war. He said: “We must remember October 7—a day of horror and violence, not just for Israel but in the history of the world.” Yet, he did not mention the hardships faced by Palestinians in Gaza. Eventually, he responded to Britain’s plan by saying: “On this point, I disagree with my Prime Minister. It’s one of the few disagreements we have.”
During the press conference, Trump also mentioned efforts to take back Bagram Airbase from Afghanistan. He recalled that it was his deal with the Taliban that led to the US withdrawal, which was completed chaotically in August 2021 under the Biden administration. But now Trump said he wants to reclaim Bagram, the central hub of America’s two-decade presence in Afghanistan. He explained: “We are trying to take it back, because they need things from us. And we want that base back. One reason is that it is just an hour away from where China builds its nuclear weapons.”
The US President also expressed hope for positive news regarding Russia, saying falling oil prices would force Putin to end the war. He added that an agreement with China was close, that TikTok would become American-investor owned, and that he was in talks with Xi Jinping, expecting something final soon.
Earlier, the US and UK had signed a technology partnership agreement. During Trump’s visit to the UK, the two leaders signed the deal at Chequers. According to the BBC, President Trump and PM Keir Starmer formalized a new US–UK technology partnership agreement.
On this occasion, Trump said the new deal was already helping unleash a wave of private-sector agreements. He announced that US company X-Energy and UK company Centrica would build nuclear reactors across Britain—an agreement that had long been in the air but was finally realized.
Trump added that earlier this year Britain became the first country to sign a trade deal with the US, and described US–UK relations as extremely valuable—a beautiful legacy that both governments are now strengthening more than ever. He noted that a year ago America was in deep trouble, and recalled Saudi Arabia’s king telling him: “Your country was dead a year ago, and now it is the most dynamic country in the world.”
Trump said that over $1.7 trillion of investment had flowed into the US this year, and tariffs had brought in trillions of dollars that were enormously beneficial.
PM Keir Starmer emphasized that America is Britain’s single largest trading partner, supporting more than 2.5 million jobs across both economies. He said the US and UK are leading in technology, finance, defense, and energy.
Starmer added that today’s agreement is the biggest in Britain’s history, involving billions of dollars moving across the Atlantic, promising life-changing investment in the UK that will make thousands of workers more prosperous. Referring to the tariff deal signed with the US in May, he said Britain had secured the best agreement with the lowest tariffs.