Biden to Host British Prime Minister for Bilateral Talks Next Week

Left: President Joe Biden speaks to supporters during a campaign rally at Sherman Middle School in Madison, Wis., on July 5, 2024. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Right: Newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference, following his first cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, on July 6, 2024. Claudia Greco-WPA Pool/Getty Images

President Joe Biden will host British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a bilateral meeting next week to discuss their countries’ cooperation and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, the White House said on Friday.

Starmer is set to visit the White House on Sept. 13, where he will meet with Biden for the second time since taking office in early July. The two had their first one-on-one talk in Washington on the sidelines of the NATO summit on July 10.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Biden will underscore the importance of strengthening “the special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom during the meeting.

They will have an in-depth discussion on global issues of mutual interest, including “continuing robust support to Ukraine in its defense” against Russian aggression, Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

The two leaders will also discuss efforts to secure the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and achieve a ceasefire deal to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the official added.

In addition, Biden and Starmer will discuss the threats posed by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels to international shipping in the Red Sea, and efforts to ensure a “free and open” Indo-Pacific region.

Jean-Pierre said the two leaders will use the meeting to explore opportunities to strengthen their countries’ cooperation in supply chains and climate resilience.

The White House did not state whether Starmer will meet with Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party nominee for the November election, during his visit next week.

This will be Starmer’s first meeting with Biden since he dropped out from the presidential race on July 21 and endorsed Harris as his replacement.

During their July 10 meeting at the Oval Office, Biden described the United States and the United Kingdom as “the best of allies,” while Starmer emphasized the need to enhance their countries’ “special relationship.”

“I kind of see you guys as the knot tying the transatlantic alliance together. The closer you are with Europe, the more you are engaged … We know where you are, and we know where we are,” Biden told Starmer.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the U.S.–UK cooperation and continue to support Ukraine, according to a White House readout.

Just days after taking office on July 5, Starmer pledged support for Ukraine for “as long as needed” in its battle against Russian aggression. The newly-elected British leader said on July 10 that the UK’s £3 billion ($3.9 billion) yearly military support for Ukraine will continue until at least 2030–2031.