President Joe Biden affirmed the “special relationship” of the United States with the UK on Friday in his first official call with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, their offices said.
President Biden congratulated Sir Keir on his appointment after voters handed Labour a landslide victory.
The two leaders also reaffirmed “the importance of working together in support of freedom and democracy around the world,” the White House said in a statement.
President Biden and Sir Keir said they were looking forward to working with each other on a range of issues, the White House and No. 10 Downing Street said.
They spoke about their commitment to supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion, protecting the gains of the Good Friday Agreement, and their ambitions for greater economic growth, according to the two offices.
Sir Keir also reiterated the UK’s commitment to partnerships with the United States, including AUKUS—a trilateral Indo-Pacific security pact that also involves Australia—and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, Downing Street said.
On Friday, Sir Keir became the prime minister, ending 14 years of Conservative rule in the UK.
It came after Labour won 412 of 650 seats in Parliament while one constituency remains undeclared as of Saturday morning.
Days after getting the keys to No. 10, Sir Keir will be propelled onto the international stage, jetting to Washington next week for the NATO leaders’ summit, where discussions will include support for Ukraine.
Later this, month, Sir Keir is set to welcome European leaders to the UK as it hosts the European Political Community Summit at Blenheim Palace.
The Labour leader may hold bilateral meetings with both President Biden and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
President Biden, a Democrat, is trying to secure a second term in power, with the 2024 election set for Nov. 5.
Other Calls
Mr. Zelenskyy was also among the first world leaders Sir Keir spoke to during his first day in office.The new prime minister reassured the Ukrainian president that the change of government would “make no difference to the UK’s support for Ukraine,” and promised to continue supplying the defensive support Ukraine needed, Downing Street said.
Sir Keir also spoke to leaders from Ireland, Italy, Poland, the European Union, and Canada, with whom he will meet at the NATO summit and/or the European summit this month.
Speaking to Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris, Sir Keir said he hoped the change in government in the UK would offer “an opportunity for a reset” between the neighbouring countries.
He sent his well wishes to President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her upcoming parliamentary election as Ms. von der Leyen congratulated him on his election victory.
The pair discussed areas of close cooperation including support for Ukraine, climate change, and regional security, and “emphasised the importance of the unique relationship between the UK and EU in addressing these challenges,” Downing Street said.
Besides support for Ukraine, Sir Keir also spoke of collaborations on migration with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and on defence with Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
In a phone call between Sir Keir and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the two leaders “reflected on the strong relationship” between the two countries and agreed on the importance of working closely together on areas such as trade, security, and support for Ukraine, Downing Street said.
