Trump promises to support British soldiers consistently, but does not commit to providing air support for peacekeeping missions in Ukraine

DONALD Trump last night pledged unwavering support for Britain’s troops and seemed to endorse PM Sir Keir Starmer’s contentious Chagos agreement, offering him a semblance of relief.

There were two significant concerns looming over the PM: whether the President would serve as a safety net for the Ukraine arrangement and Downing Street’s proposal to transfer Chagos to Mauritius.

Mr Trump stopped short of pledging US airpower to protect a European peacekeeping force for Ukraine.

But he insisted the US would come to Britain’s aid if needed. On the Chagos deal, he said he was “inclined to go along with” the plan.

The President’s approval is crucial for Sir Keir Starmer’s intention to relinquish control of the territory to Mauritius due to the Diego Garcia joint US-UK military base.

Opponents of the agreement — which will see Britain pay billions of pounds to lease back the base — had hoped Mr Trump would block Downing Street.

But, asked about the deal in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said: “We’re going to have some discussions about that soon. I have a feeling it’s going to work out very well.

“I think we’ll be inclined to go along with your country. It’s early, we’ll have to be given the details.”

 It marks a diplomatic coup for Sir Keir who has defended the giveaway deal despite enormous backlash in Britain.

The boost came as Trump also rowed back from his brutal attacks on Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming he could not remember calling the Ukrainian President a dictator.

In his high-stakes meeting at the White House, the PM is understood to have pressed Mr Trump hard to commit spy planes, satellite surveillance, and the threat of bombers and missiles should Russia attempt to “come again” after any ceasefire is negotiated.

Britain and France are not asking for US boots on the ground, The Sun understands, but they need Washington’s muscle to ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin does not use a peace deal to regroup and rearm.

Sitting next to Sir Keir in the Oval Office, Mr Trump played down the need for American forces to act as a military “backstop” but eventually admitted he would stand by British troops.

He said: “I’ve always cared about the British. They don’t need much help. They can take care of themselves. It sounds like it’s evasive, but it’s not evasive.”

He hailed the UK’s forces as “incredible soldiers” with an “incredible military” before adding: “But if they need help, I’ll always be with the British, okay? But they don’t need help.”

Earlier, when asked if US forces could be deployed as a backstop in Ukraine, the President dismissed the idea, suggesting it wouldn’t be necessary.

He said: “Well, there is a backstop. First, you have European countries, because they’re right there, we’re very far away, we have an ocean between us.

“But we want to make sure it works. So I don’t know whether you say backstop you mean a backstop psychologically, militarily or what.

“We are a backstop because we’ll be over there, we’ll be working in the country.

“That’s a great thing economically for them because . . .  we’re going to have a lot of people over there . . . so I just don’t think you’re going to have a problem.”

And when asked about previously branding President Zelensky a dictator, Mr Trump responded: “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question, please go ahead.”

He also insisted he was able to “get along with both” Zelensky and Putin.

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