Biden Starmer meeting: Biden and the UK’s Starmer discuss support to Ukraine but avoid mention of the possibility of Western weapons being used against Russia.
Biden Starmer meeting:
The White House hosted a meeting of President Joe Biden with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on September 13, 2024, during which they discussed support to Ukraine and how they are aiding the nation. It is of great importance due to increasing tensions between Russia and Western countries such as the U.S. and the U.K.
Key Takeaways from the Biden Starmer Meeting
The two reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine in its struggle against Russia’s aggression during Biden Starmer meeting. Biden said the U.S. posturing is to support Ukraine and assured the head of the Opposition party, “The United States is committed to standing with you to help Ukraine as it defends against Russia’s onslaught of aggression.” He expressed optimism that war would not aid Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, stating that Ukraine will overcome this test.
Starmer agreed with Biden in similar words: the United States and the United Kingdom must stand very closely with Ukraine. And he underlined that there would be decisive weeks and months ahead in this “critical war of freedom”.
Unanswered Questions and Escalation
The leadership was united in support for Ukraine but could not discuss any of the more urgent issues: would Ukraine be permitted to fire Western-made weapons inside Russia? It’s one of the main controversies. President Vladimir Putin has stated that he would consider such actions by Ukraine as an act of NATO aggression if they were to make use of Western missiles to attack inside Russia and would respond accordingly.
In the morning, Putin also threw out six British diplomats based on charges of espionage, and withdrew their accreditations. He went on to say that using Western missiles on Ukraine’s side would increase the conflicts to enormous proportions assuming such an action would be seen in the West as a direct entry by NATO to the war.
Concerns and Responses
The Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, warned that potential use of the West’s arms against Russia could bring NATO’s intervention at the forefront of the confrontation, thus expressing his concern before the United Nations Security Council.
Biden has been careful, working his way so that he can be seen as helping Ukraine but not drawing NATO into a greater war. So far, this has been the stance throughout the conflict and now becomes part of the foreign policy legacy to be shaped by his approach to the situation of Russia and Ukraine.
Meeting Highlights
The talks between Biden and Starmer touched on several other pressing global issues, including the situation in the Middle East. They also talked about calls for a cease-fire and the situation in Gaza. Just this week, the British government suspended some of its arms exports to Israel, citing possible breaches of international humanitarian law.
U.S. Position on the Use of Arms
Speaking with John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, stated that U.S. policy on long range strikes for Ukraine would not be altered overnight. However, he did warn that that process with allies will continue as no determination had been made on the current policy adopted by the U.S. to allow them to use Western weaponry on long-range attacks.
Some U.S. lawmakers are demanding a policy shift. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., has said that, given Russia’s barrages of civilian targets, limits on the use by Ukraine of long-range systems supplied by the U.S. are now over. She says the Kyiv regime requires more freedom to strike at critical Russian military installations.
Conclusion
The conference between President Biden and Prime Minister Starmer brought strong allied support to Ukraine but left very key questions about how Western weapons are going to be used. As tensions between Russia and the West increase with each passing day, the decisions by Biden and other leaders of the West will contribute enormously to defining how this conflict will run. Balancing support to Ukraine without getting into a broader confrontation with Russia remains one of the core challenges of the administration for President Biden.
FAQs
1. Why did Biden and Starmer meet?
They met to discuss their support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia and to coordinate their strategies for aiding Ukraine.
2. Did Biden and Starmer address the issue of Western weapons being used in Russia?
They did not explain whether Ukraine will be granted authorization to use Western weapons, and thereby reach deeper into Russia.
3. What does Putin say about the use of Western weaponry?
He has already threatened: If Ukraine uses Western missiles to attack inside Russia, that would equal direct involvement on NATO’s part, and it will fuel the war more.
4. What other issues was discussed by Biden and Starmer?
They also talked over the Middle East issues such as efforts for a cease-fire and the situation in Gaza.
5. What is U.S. policy currently concerning long-range weapons for Ukraine?
The U.S. has not changed its policy concerning provision of long-range strike capabilities to Ukraine. Current discussions with allies continue.
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