US President Biden to discuss Ukraine and Gaza issues with British PM Starmer next week
US: Next week, US President Joe Biden will speak with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a variety of topics, including the conflict in Gaza and Ukraine.
According to press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the main goals of the summit are to “secure a hostage release and ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza” and “continue robust support to Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression.”
Starmer is coming to Washington for the second time since taking office in July.
Before he leaves office, the US President has been pushing for a ceasefire to put an end to Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, an agreement has not yet been reached in the peace negotiations, which are facilitated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar.
The negotiations come after Biden said on July 21 that he will not run for president of the United States in 2024, handing the Democratic nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris. It is yet unknown, however, whether Starmer will have a meeting with Harris while he is in Washington.
In relation to the situation in Ukraine, Moscow has advanced in the country’s eastern regions while Ukrainian troops have taken control of a piece of Russian territory.
According to the news agency AFP, in a bid to offset Chinese influence, President Biden and PM Starmer are also expected to discuss matters like the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are supported by Iran, and efforts to maintain a “free and open” Asia-Pacific region.
When Biden arrived in Washington for the NATO Summit two months ago, Starmer paid him a personal visit at the White House.
