WASHINGTON, July 11: New Prime Minister Keir Starmer met President Joe Biden at the White House for the first time Wednesday with the US leader hailing Britain as a key ally on global issues including the war in Ukraine.
"We
e the best of allies in the whole world," the 81-year-old Biden said as he shook hands with his fellow center-left leader in the Oval Office.
Biden added that he saw Britain as the "knot tying the transatlantic alliance together."
Starmer, 61, also making his debut at a NATO summit in Washington less than a week after winning elections, said that "this special relationship is so important" and that its "stronger than ever now."
The two men also joked about the English football teams semi-final win in the Euro 2024 championships, saying their victory over the Netherlands was "all because of the prime minister."
Neither man however addressed the elephant in the room, with Bidens reelection chances mired in crisis since a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump.
The growing questions over Bidens health have also raised fears among allies about a second term for Trump, who has openly questioned NATOs usefulness and mused about cutting a quick deal with Russia on Ukraine.
In Washington, Starmer promised to keep up Britains steadfast support for Kyiv and gave his blessing for strikes inside Russia with British missiles. —AFP
