Biden to host UK Prime Minister Starmer for talks

WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden will host British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a bilateral meeting on September 13, the White House announced on Friday.

“The leaders will have an in-depth discussion on a range of global issues of mutual interest, including continuing robust support to Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression, securing a hostage release and ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza, protecting international shipping in the Red Sea from Iranian-backed Houthi threats, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

Biden and Starmer will also discuss opportunities to enhance US-UK cooperation on securing supply chains and increasing climate resilience.

“President Biden will underscore the importance of continuing to strengthen the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom,” Jean-Pierre added, noting that this will be their second meeting at the White House since Starmer’s election this summer. — Agencies