Trump’s endeavors to end the war in Ukraine loomed large over the day, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky set to visit Friday and sign a new economic partnership with the president in the hope of gaining U.S. security guarantees against Russia.

Starmer’s trip followed a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, with both leaders pressing Trump to serve as a “backstop” to a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine should the war come to a close.

Still, Trump and Starmer made a number of non-war-related headlines, including new developments in an unlikely bromance.

Here’s what you need to know from Thursday’s affair:

Flattery will get you everywhere, as will a state visit

Just like Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Starmer tried to charm and disarm Trump, a clear indication that world leaders have coalesced around the same strategy for dealing with, arguably, the most unpredictable president in American history.

Shortly after arriving at the White House, Trump and Starmer spoke with reporters in the Oval Office before their bilateral meeting, where Starmer personally delivered an “unprecedented” state visit invitation to the president on behalf of King Charles III. Trump will be the first modern foreign leader to be hosted by the British royal family for two state visits.

“The answer is yes. On behalf of our wonderful first lady, Melania, and myself, the answer is yes, and we look forward to being there, and honoring the king, and honoring, really, your country,” Trump said.

At a press conference in the East Room later in the day, the president added: “One person has never been extended that honor and I really do call it an honor, but it’s not for me. It’s for our country. It’s respect for our country.”

Queen Elizabeth II, Charles’ mother, hosted Trump for his first state visit in 2019. Upon his return to the states, the president quipped that he had “too much fun” with the queen, though, after her passing, the late queen’s friends said she found Trump to be “very rude” during the trip. 

Trump questions whether he described Zelensky as a ‘dictator’

Amid Trump’s negotiations regarding the U.S.-Ukraine natural resources deal, the president had ramped up his criticism against Zelensky, including claiming Ukraine and former President Joe Biden had permitted Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch his 2022 invasion. 

As recently as last Wednesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Zelensky “refuses to have elections” and played the previous administration “like a fiddle,” referencing the billions of dollars in security aid Biden provided Ukraine.

“A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” he added. 

But pressed on those comments and a clarification Thursday in the Oval Office before the meeting, Trump pleaded ignorance.

“Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that,” he said.

At the press conference, Trump was asked whether he owed Zelensky an apology for his comments.

“I have a lot of respect for him,” he said. “We’ve given them a lot of equipment and a lot of money, but they have fought very bravely, no matter how you figure it.”

Trump used the same deflective tactic when asked to explain comments he made earlier this week concerning the European Union, with the president complaining it was only formed to “screw” the U.S. on trade.

“Did I use the word that you said? That bad word,” he said.

‘That’s enough!’: Trump puts a reporter in their place

That was not Trump’s only mind game played with the press Thursday — the president also made a power play with one reporter.

The first reporter called on to ask a question during the press conference pressed Starmer to respond to the president’s recent proposal to adopt Canada as the U.S.’s 51st state, even going so far as inviting outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to a recent Republican Governors Association meeting.

“You mentioned Canada. I think you’re trying to find a divide between us that doesn’t exist. We’re the closest of nations,” Starmer said, prompting Trump to smile.

But before Starmer could continue, Trump cut in, “That’s enough. Thank you,” before calling on another reporter. 

White House officials were quick to underscore that the president’s comment was directed at the reporter, not Starmer himself, though the effect remained the same.

Trump may not like NATO, but he likes Article 5

Speaking of international alliances, despite Trump’s criticism of NATO, the president reiterated his support of Article 5 of the organization during the press conference.

“I support it. I don’t think we’re going to have any reason for it,” Trump said in the East Room.

Article 5 stipulates that NATO members will “come to the defense of an ally which comes under attack.” It is the reason why Ukraine wants admittance into the alliance, but it is also the reason its admission has been delayed, among other issues, such as corruption.

Trump has publicly disagreed with NATO’s position that “Ukraine’s future is in NATO.” Instead, he has repeated that Ukraine should not become a member. 

“It’s not gonna happen, it’s just not gonna happen. That’s what started this whole thing,” he said in the Oval Office before the meeting.

Vance spars with Starmer over free speech

While Starmer turned up the charm for Trump, he appeared less concerned with appeasing Vice President JD Vance.

Earlier in February, Vance addressed the Munich Security Conference with a speech that rankled European leaders. There, the vice president accused the U.K. and Europe of abandoning democratic principles, including freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

“Look, I said what I said. We do have, of course, a special relationship with our friends in the U.K.,” Vance said Thursday in the Oval Office before the meeting, where he was seated across from Starmer. “But we also know there have been infringements on free speech.”

Starmer replied, “We’ve had free speech for a very, very long time in the United Kingdom, and it will last for a very, very long time.”

Starmer also corrected Trump when he repeated that the U.K. and Europe are only providing aid to Ukraine through loans. Like the U.S., the U.K. and Europe have supplied Ukraine with financial gifts and other assistance.

Trump gives go-ahead for Chagos deal

Last year, Starmer began negotiations to give up control of the Chagos Islands, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean that conservatives on both sides of the Atlantic say is a critical check on China‘s influence in the region.

Starmer’s deal would send the island chain to Mauritius, a former British colony and current close ally of China. However, the prime minister hit pause on the move in November to provide Trump with the opportunity to consider the transfer himself, as the island chain includes Diego Garcia, a joint military base operated by American and British forces. 

Reports leading into Thursday indicated that Trump generally sided with Republican opposition to the transfer. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he found the proposal “concerning” as it “would provide an opportunity for communist China to gain valuable intelligence.”

But when asked for his opinion Thursday, Trump gave Starmer the green light.

“I have a feeling it’s going to work out very well. They’re talking about a very long-term, powerful lease, a very strong lease, about 140 years,” the president said, referencing provisions that will permit the U.S. and U.K. to continue leasing Diego Garcia. “Actually, that’s a long time, and I think we’ll be inclined to go along with your country. We have to be given the details, but it doesn’t sound bad.”

Trump says he knows ‘nothing’ about the Tate brothers

Regarding another complicated situation, Trump was not informed the infamous Tate brothers were home and denied having knowledge of his administration pressuring Romanian prosecutors involved in their case.

“If so, I know nothing about that,” Trump said in the Oval Office before the meeting. “I don’t know. You’re saying he’s on a plane right now? Yeah, I just know nothing about it.”

Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are U.S.-British influencers with millions of followers and avid supporters of Trump, arrived in Florida on Wednesday after Romania removed a travel ban imposed on them amid another investigation into human trafficking allegations. A judge ruled last December their case could not go to trial, but Romanian authorities have not closed their case. 

The brothers were arrested in 2022 and indicted last year on charges that they took part in a criminal ring to lure women to Romania, where they were sexually exploited. Andrew Tate, a former professional kickboxer, is also accused of rape.

They deny any wrongdoing.