Newsman: President Joe. Biden met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discuss Ukraine’s pleas to use British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil at the White House on Friday. The issue would further be discussed in U.N. General Assembly later this month. The two leaders met one-to-one for around 20 minutes in the Oval Office before a longer group meeting with aides, on strategic challenges including Ukraine and the Middle East.
In response to a question on Putin saying the use of British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil would put NATO countries “at war with Russia,” the U.S. president told reporters: “I don’t think much about Vladimir Putin.” Responding shouted question asking how soon he was prepared to let Ukraine fire missiles deeper into Russia, Biden added: “We’re going to discuss that now.”
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Starmer said no final decision had been taken on the Storm Shadow missiles, and hinted further developments may follow at the gathering of the U.N. General Assembly later this month. “We’ll obviously pick up again in UNGA in just a few days’ time with a wider group of individuals,” he said.
Starmer insisted “this wasn’t a meeting about a particular capability,” but added: “We’ve come to a strong position.”
The meeting between Biden and Starmer was followed by a 90-minute wider summit with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and aides, including National Security Adviser Tim Barrow, U.K. Ambassador Karen Pierce, his chief of staff Sue Gray and Director of Communications Matthew Doyle.
Prime Minister Starmer said at the start of the meeting: “I think the next few weeks and months could be crucial. It’s very very important that we support Ukraine in this vital war of freedom.”
I think if you look at both the Ukrainian situation and the Middle East, it is obvious that in the coming weeks and months there are really important potential developments, whatever timetables are going on in other countries, he said.
Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson piled on pressure Friday by meeting Zelenskyy in Kyiv — and urging the U.K. and U.S. to let Ukraine use both nations’ long-range missiles, Storm Shadow, SCALP and ATACMS, against targets in Russian territory. Johnson added: “Every day that goes by means more pointless and tragic loss of Ukrainian lives.”
The White House said in a statement, two leaders had an in-depth discussion on a range of foreign policy issues of mutual interest. They reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to defend against Russia’s aggression and expressed deep concern about Iran and North Korea’s provision of lethal weapons to Russia and the People’s Republic of China’s support to Russia’s defense industrial base, White house white said. .
President Biden and Prime Minister Starmer reiterated their ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, the urgent need for a ceasefire deal that will free the hostages and enable increased relief in Gaza, and the need for Israel to do more to protect civilians and address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. They also condemned Iran-backed Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea ,the statement said.
They discussed U.S.-UK cooperation on clean energy and advanced technologies, on AUKUS, as well as opportunities to deepen our strong U.S.-UK economic ties. President Biden underscored his support for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and its role in maintaining peace and stability in Northern Ireland according to the White House.
