Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the meeting will focus on “continuing robust support to Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression” and “securing a hostage release and ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza.”
The discussion is scheduled for September 13.This visit will be Starmer’s second trip to Washington since he took office in July.
The US President has been advocating for a truce to end Israel’s conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip before he leaves office. However, the peace talks, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, have not yet been able to achieve an agreement.
The upcoming talks follow Biden’s decision on July 21 to withdraw from the 2024 US presidential election, passing the Democratic candidacy to Vice President Kamala Harris. However, It remains unclear whether Starmer will meet with Harris during his trip to Washington or not.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Ukrainian forces have captured a portion of Russian territory, while Moscow has made advances in Ukraine’s eastern areas.
As per the news agency AFP, President Biden and PM Starmer will also likely address issues such as attacks on shipping by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and efforts to ensure a “free and open” Asia-Pacific region, in a move aimed at countering Chinese influence.
Starmer visited the White House two months ago for one-on-one talks with Biden when he was in Washington for the Nato Summit.
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