US President Joe Biden and UK PM Rishi Sunak will engage in wide-ranging talks on Thursday during Sunak’s first official visit to the White House. The leaders’ meeting in the Oval Office encompasses various pressing issues. Including the war in Ukraine, China’s global influence, economic security, international cooperation on the regulation of artificial intelligence, and more. This meeting presents the most significant opportunity for Biden and Sunak to interact at length. Building on their four previous face-to-face encounters since Sunak assumed office in October.
Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, emphasized that the 15-month-long Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a top priority during the discussions. Both the US and the UK are major contributors to the Ukraine war effort. Playing a central role in a recent long-term initiative to train and eventually equip Ukrainian pilots with F-16 fighter jets.
Additionally, Sunak sought to advocate for the candidacy of UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the outgoing Secretary-General of NATO. Stoltenberg’s term leading the 31-member alliance is set to conclude in September. He is scheduled to meet with Biden in Washington on Monday. The annual summit of NATO leaders, scheduled for July 11-12 in Lithuania, will provide an opportunity to further discuss this matter.
Global Issues on the Agenda: Economic Partnership, Clean Energy, and Emerging Technologies
Jean-Pierre stated, “The two leaders will discuss a range of global issues, including our economic partnership and shared support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s aggression. They will also explore further actions to expedite the clean energy transition, as well as address joint U.S.-U.K. leadership on critical emerging technologies and efforts to strengthen economic security.”
The timing of Sunak’s visit coincided with ongoing efforts by U.S. and British intelligence officials to determine responsibility for the breach of a major dam in southern Ukraine, resulting in devastating floods. While neither Washington nor London has officially accused Russia of the incident involving the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam, Sunak remarked that U.K. intelligence agencies are still evaluating the evidence. He further added, “If it does prove to be intentional, it will represent a new low… an appalling barbarism on Russia’s part.” Sunak also highlighted Russia’s deliberate strategy of targeting civilian infrastructure throughout the war.
The objective of the discussions between President Biden and Prime Minister Sunak is to underscore the enduring strength of the U.S.-U.K. relationship, despite recent political and economic turbulence in the United Kingdom. Sunak becomes the third British Prime Minister Biden has interacted with since assuming office in 2021, and their administrations have encountered differences concerning Brexit and its impact on Northern Ireland.
