Donald Trump has suggested that Keir Starmer should consider military action to tackle Britain’s small boat crisis, warning that illegal migration could “destroy countries from within” during a joint press conference at Chequers on the final day of his state visit to the UK.
The US President also expressed frustration with Vladimir Putin, saying the Russian leader had “really let me down” after failing to engage in meaningful peace negotiations over Ukraine, as both leaders pledged to work together to increase pressure on Moscow to agree to a lasting peace deal.
Speaking alongside the Prime Minister at his country residence on Thursday, Trump drew parallels between America’s border challenges and the UK’s ongoing struggle with Channel crossings, suggesting that drastic measures, including military deployment, might be necessary to stem the flow of illegal immigration.
Military Solution to Channel Crisis
During the joint press conference, Trump highlighted what he claimed was his own success in securing America’s borders, stating: “What I saw happening, with millions of people pouring into our country, I couldn’t stand to watch it, and we’ve done a great job.
The President made the extraordinary claim that “the last three months we had zero – from millions of people a year ago, we had zero people enter our country illegally”, though this assertion has not been independently verified and contradicts available border crossing data.
Turning to the UK’s situation, Trump told Starmer: “I think your situation is very similar. You have people coming in and I told the Prime Minister I would stop it, and it doesn’t matter if you call out the military, it doesn’t matter what means you use.”
He warned starkly: “It destroys countries from within and we’re actually now removing a lot of the people that came into our country.”
The suggestion of military involvement represents a significant escalation in rhetoric around the small boats crisis, which has seen thousands of asylum seekers crossing the English Channel in recent years despite various government initiatives to stop them.
Putin’s Ukraine Disappointment
In a revealing moment of candour, Trump expressed his frustration with Putin’s unwillingness to engage in peace negotiations, admitting that he had expected the Ukraine conflict to be easier to resolve due to his personal relationship with the Russian president.
The one that I thought would be easiest would be because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down – he’s really let me down – was gonna be Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said. “But we’ll see how that turns out. But that turned out to be, I thought it might be among the easiest of the group.”
The admission comes just one month after Trump hosted Putin for talks in Alaska, a meeting he had said would lead to direct negotiations between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. That subsequent meeting has not materialised, and Russian strikes on Ukraine have instead intensified.
Trump reflected philosophically on the challenges of ending conflicts: “War is a different thing. Things happen that are very opposite of what you thought. You thought you were going to have an easy time or a hard time, and it turns out to be the reverse.”
Starmer’s Response on Ukraine
The Prime Minister used the press conference to deliver a forceful condemnation of recent Russian actions, stating that “Putin has shown his true face” through mounting what he described as the biggest attack since the invasion began.
In recent days, Putin has shown his true face mounting the biggest attack since the invasion began, with yet more bloodshed, yet more innocents killed, and unprecedented violations of NATO airspace,” Starmer said. “These are not the actions of someone who wants peace.”
He revealed that the two leaders had discussed for about an hour privately how to “build our defences to further support Ukraine, and decisively increase the pressure on Putin to get him to agree a peace deal that will last.”
Starmer emphasised that increased pressure was essential, noting: “We have to put extra pressure on Putin, and it’s only when the president has put pressure on Putin that he’s actually shown any inclination. So we have to run that pressure up.”
The Prime Minister also suggested that recent Russian actions showed “either an emboldenment or at least an increased recklessness on Putin’s part”, making diplomatic efforts more urgent.
Technology and Trade Agreements
Beyond security matters, the leaders signed a significant agreement to expand cooperation on technology and nuclear energy, with Trump noting that expanded nuclear energy capacity would be crucial for powering the artificial intelligence industry’s growing electricity demands.
The meeting at Chequers followed two days of royal pageantry, including a state banquet at Windsor Castle where Trump described the UK-US relationship as “priceless and eternal. The President had been welcomed with unprecedented military ceremonial honours, including the largest guard of honour ever assembled at Windsor for a state visit.
UK Immigration Context
Trump’s intervention on the small boats crisis comes as Starmer’s government continues to grapple with the challenge of Channel crossings. According to recent reports, 3,567 people had arrived on UK shores between August and early September 2025, following a “one in, one out” migrant deal with France that has faced significant implementation challenges.
The Prime Minister’s attempts to implement the France agreement have been repeatedly frustrated by legal challenges and protests, with planned deportation flights cancelled due to court interventions. Most recently, a 25-year-old Eritrean asylum seeker who arrived by small boat in August won a High Court bid to block his removal temporarily.
Gaza and Middle East Discussion
The leaders also discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with both agreeing on the need to end the conflict, deliver aid, and secure the release of remaining hostages. However, they appeared to differ on approach, with Starmer indicating his government would recognise a Palestinian state this month unless Israel commits to peace, whilst Trump acknowledged disagreeing with this strategy.
“The question of recognition needs to be seen as part of that overall package which hopefully takes us from the appalling situation we’re in now to the outcome of a safe and secure Israel, which we do not have, and a viable Palestinian state,” Starmer explained.
Trump, whilst calling for immediate hostage release, described the situation bluntly: “The whole place is a mess. They have to get food and safety right now.”
Unprecedented Second State Visit
Trump’s visit marked an unprecedented second state visit for an American president, a diplomatic gesture designed to strengthen the special relationship at a crucial time for both nations. The visit comes as Starmer faces mounting domestic pressure over his leadership, with plummeting approval ratings and recent high-profile resignations from his cabinet.
The President’s comments on immigration and his admission about Putin’s intransigence provide both opportunities and challenges for Starmer’s government. Whilst Trump’s support for tougher border measures might embolden those calling for stronger action on Channel crossings, his suggestion of military deployment could prove controversial given Britain’s legal obligations to asylum seekers.
As Trump departed the UK after his whirlwind visit, both leaders pledged continued cooperation on trade, security, and technology. However, the President’s stark warnings about immigration and his candid assessment of Putin’s unwillingness to negotiate peace underscore the complex challenges facing the transatlantic alliance in an increasingly unstable world.
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Image Credit:
Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts President Donald Trump for State visit — photo by [Photographer’s Name] / No 10 Downing Street, licensed OGL 3.0
