US President Joe Biden welcomed Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s desire for closer ties with European counterparts during their meeting on Wednesday in the White House’s Oval Office, according to a UK government statement on Thursday.
The two leaders discussed UK and US ties, the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and England’s soccer win in the semi-finals of Euro 2024. “The President welcomed the prime minister’s recent comments on establishing closer relationships with our European counterparts, as well as the UK’s commitment to AUKUS,” the statement said, referring to the security pact between Britain, the US, and Australia. They emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation in facing global challenges.
Starmer was in Washington for the NATO summit, where he also met European leaders, including Germany’s Olaf Scholz. Starmer aims to reset relations with the European Union to enhance cooperation in security and trade, seeking to ease tensions from Britain’s 2016 Brexit referendum. However, he has ruled out rejoining the European Union’s single market or customs union.
Biden and Starmer also agreed on the necessity of supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. They discussed their shared desire for a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the release of hostages, allow aid in, and advance towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
