(Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump and has agreed to meet with him soon, the UK government said in a statement on Sunday.

Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump agreed to meet “soon” in their first phone call since the US president ’s inauguration. In the 45-minute call, Sir Keir praised the US president for his “role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza”, Downing Street said.

Donald Trump is expected to visit the UK “soon” after Sir Keir Starmer became the first European leader to speak to the president since his inauguration.

Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump had a telephone conversation discussing the importance of UK-US ties, joint security efforts, and economic deregulation plans. Trump congratulated Starmer on his brother's passing and expressed respect for the Royal Family.

The talks came hours after the US president praised the Prime Minister for having done "a very good job thus far" and confirmed the pair were due to speak soon.

Donald Trump has offered a surprise olive branch to the UK government, praising Keir Starmer for doing a "very good job thus far".

The talks came hours after Donald Trump gave an unexpectedly warm endorsement of Keir Starmer, saying 'I like him a lot' and he's done 'a very good job thus far'

US President Donald Trump has said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has done a "very good job thus far" and that the pair have a "very good relationship". Asked by the BBC on board Air Force One about his relationship with Sir Keir, Trump added that they would be having a call "over the next 24 hours".