This is the awkward moment Donald Trump appears to snub Sir Keir Starmer during a confusing moment at the Middle East peace summit.
The US President looked like he was inviting Sir Keir up to speak at one point during a speech to the world’s media in Egypt after all the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages were released by Hamas in Gaza.
Thanking a list of countries for their work in international conflicts, Trump mentioned Britain before turning to look for the prime minister who was standing among world leaders behind him.
“Where is the United Kingdom?” he asked, prompting Sir Keir to step forward and greet the US President.
The prime minister walked up towards the lectern to speak to Trump, shaking his hand and looking ready to address reporters gathered.
But Trump quickly took command of the microphone again, saying to Sir Keir: “Has everything gone good… it’s very nice that you’re here.”
The US President suddenly returned to his speech, leaving the prime minister to sheepishly return to where he was standing.
Sir Keir later shared a photo from the moment on social media as he praised Trump.
He wrote: “President Trump, this is your achievement. I thank you for your tireless efforts to deliver this moment.
The UK stands ready to support a full implementation of the peace plan.”
Sir Keir also hailed Monday a “historic day” as key countries agreed to Trump’s Gaza peace plan and said the UK could play a key role in monitoring the ceasefire.
He added: “What happens tomorrow really matters, and that’s why, what I’ve been discussing with leaders all day is, what part can we play?
President Trump, this is your achievement. I thank you for your tireless efforts to deliver this moment.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 13, 2025
The UK stands ready to support a full implementation of the peace plan. pic.twitter.com/kymIeY45uz
“And we, the United Kingdom in particular I think, can play a part in monitoring the ceasefire, but also decommissioning the capability of Hamas and their weaponry drawing on our experience in Northern Ireland.
“So the question today has already moved to, how do we implement how do we make sure this moves forward? It’s really important we keep that focus. We mustn’t have any missteps now.”
At another stage during the peace summit, Trump had a tense moment with French President Emmanuel Macron during a lengthy handshake.
Trump did not let go of the French leader’s hand for nearly 30 seconds, despite Mr Macron trying to pull away, as the pair exchanged words.
The world leaders have had a series of strange, lengthy handshakes during their time in power.
Speaking later on, Sir Keir said he had not put himself forward for a role on the peace board for Gaza to be chaired by Mr Trump, and it was for “others to decide” if former prime minister Sir Tony Blair should be involved.
Sir Tony was among those who queued up to shake hands with the US leader in Egypt and appeared to have the backing of the Palestinian Authority after meeting its deputy chief on Sunday.
But Trump suggested Sir Tony’s involvement on the board that would supervise the governance of Gaza under the plan was still subject to approval.
As he travelled to the Middle East, the US president told reporters: “I like Tony, I have always liked Tony. But I want to find out that he is an acceptable choice to everybody.”
Trump also suggested on Monday he might expand the board.
Sir Keir held a series of meetings with leaders in Sharm El Sheikh as they waited for Trump to arrive from Israel, where he met families of hostages and addressed the parliament, saying: “Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change.”
The Israeli hostages were released throughout Monday, after Israel agreed, in exchange, to start freeing more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees as part of the ceasefire deal.
The prisoners include 250 people serving life sentences after being convicted of attacks on Israelis.
Tens of thousands of Israelis watched the hostage transfers at public screenings across the country.
In Tel Aviv, families and friends of the hostages broke into wild cheers as television channels announced the first group was in the hands of the Red Cross.
The freed hostages, all men, were later reunited with their families and footage released by Israeli authorities showed tearful reunions, including old twins Gali and Ziv Berman, 28, embracing as they were reunited.
The 20-point plan set out by the US president calls for Israel to maintain an open-ended military presence inside Gaza along its border with Israel.
An international force, comprised largely of troops from Arab and Muslim countries, would be responsible for security inside the enclave.
The Israeli military has said it will continue to operate defensively from the roughly 50% of Gaza it still controls after pulling back to the agreed-upon lines.
There are no plans to send British troops to be part of the multinational force that will monitor the truce.
