LONDON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden arrives in London, ready to strengthen his relationships with King Charles and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The meetings, taking place on Monday, are expected to focus on Ukraine and climate change. With a three-nation trip ahead, Biden plans to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine during a NATO summit in Lithuania, while simultaneously discussing private investment to combat climate change with King Charles at Windsor Castle.
White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, expressed Biden’s admiration for King Charles’ commitment to addressing climate change, stating, “The president has huge respect for the king’s commitment on the climate issue in particular. He has been a clarion voice on this issue.” Sullivan also mentioned that Biden hopes to deepen his personal relationship with King Charles, emphasizing that the leaders had a warm phone conversation earlier this year.
Following the meeting with King Charles, Biden will proceed to 10 Downing Street for a low-key meeting with Prime Minister Sunak. This will mark Biden’s first visit to Downing Street as President. Sullivan revealed that the meeting is more of a continuation of their ongoing conversation and will serve as an opportunity for the leaders to exchange notes ahead of the NATO summit in Lithuania.
The NATO summit will primarily address the Ukraine crisis and the alliance’s stance towards the country. In a recent CNN interview, Biden urged caution regarding Ukraine’s immediate NATO membership, expressing concern that it could potentially involve NATO in the ongoing war with Russia. However, he ensured that the alliance remains committed to its mutual defense pact.
Additionally, Biden’s trip coincides with his decision to send controversial U.S. cluster munitions to Ukraine. Cluster munitions are banned by over 100 countries, including the United Kingdom, due to their indiscriminate nature and threat to civilian populations. Nevertheless, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Despite the complexities surrounding the Ukraine crisis and climate change, Sullivan emphasized the alignment between Prime Minister Sunak and President Biden, stating, “I think you find Prime Minister Sunak and President Biden on the same page strategically on Ukraine, in lock step on the bigger picture on what we are trying to accomplish, and as united as ever.”
(Reporting by Steve Holland and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
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