Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets US President Joe Biden in Washington today, to discuss pressing global issues, with our ongoing support for Ukraine top of the list.
It will be the second time the new British PM and the outgoing US President have met in Washington DC; within a week of being elected in his landslide victory in July, Starmer met Biden at the Nato summit.
The trip comes hot on the heels of the Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s joint visit to Kyiv, where Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed their need for greater support from the West.
Confirmation that Iran has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, bolstering Putin’s capabilities, is seen as a significant escalation in the conflict, now nearing its third winter.
Keir Starmer on the plane to Washington DC to meet with Joe Biden
Reuters
Zelensky wants permission to fire British and French-made Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles into Russia, something which has previously been out of the question due to fears of escalation.
The thinking is changing though, with Britain and France willing, and the US position seemingly shifting behind the scenes.
An argument can now be made that the move would be in response to escalation from Russia and Iran, rather than an escalation in itself.
The UK needs agreement from the US, partly given it’s our most important global ally, but also as some components of the Storm Shadow missiles originate in the States.
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The trip comes hot on the heels of the Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s joint visit to Kyiv
Reuters
Britain has pledged £3billion a year to Ukraine for as long as needed, and has just announced an extra £600million.
Sir Keir Starmer is accompanied by the Foreign Secretary David Lammy and the UK National Security Adviser Sir Tim Barrow.
Meanwhile, the US election on November 5 looms large.
Currently set to be the closest election in American history, Donald Trump this week would not even say he wants Ukraine to win.
Joe Biden paid his respects to all those that lost their lives during 9/11
Reuters
The Democrat candidate Kamala Harris, however, looks likely to continue with Biden’s approach should she win.
It had been thought that the Prime Minster would meet Harris on this trip.
That, we’re told, is not happening, since she it out on the campaign trail and not in Washington DC.
