Global Tensions in Focus: Sir Keir Starmer and President Biden Discuss Ukraine and Gaza Conflicts

Sir Keir Starmer has stated that Russia initiated the conflict in Ukraine and has the ability to immediately terminate it. Additionally, it is anticipated that the prime minister and President Biden will address the ongoing strife in Gaza, as significant choices approach for both nations.

Political correspondent @NifS

Friday, September 13, 2024, 12:

Sir Keir Starmer has stated that Russia initiated the war in Ukraine and has the capability to "immediately halt the conflict."

The Prime Minister has landed in Washington DC to discuss the current conflict with President Joe Biden at the White House.

Sir Keir has supported Kyiv's right to self-defense following remarks by Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who indicated that if the West permits the use of long-range weapons against his country, it would be tantamount to declaring war with NATO.

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The Prime Minister stated that the UK has no desire to "engage in a conflict with Russia," emphasizing that this is "absolutely not our goal."

Since last year, the UK has supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles, but, similar to the US, it prohibits Ukraine from using these missiles to target locations within Russia due to concerns about potential escalation.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging the removal of limitations on deploying missiles targeting Russia, which initiated a comprehensive assault on Ukraine in February 2022.

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President Putin declared on Thursday that permitting long-range attacks signifies "NATO nations, including the US and European countries, are engaging in war with Russia… if this turns out to be the case, then, considering the fundamental shift in the nature of this conflict, we will take necessary actions in response to the threats posed to us."

During a flight to the US, Sir Keir addressed the comments, stating to the media, "Russia initiated this conflict. Russia's invasion of Ukraine was unlawful. Russia has the power to immediately cease this conflict."

"Ukraine possesses the right to defend itself, and it’s clear that we have completely backed Ukraine's right to self-defense by offering training capabilities."

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Earlier this week, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. During their discussions, Ukraine urged both nations to reconsider their positions, particularly after reports that Russia had acquired military supplies from Iran, according to US intelligence.

Neither Mr. Lammy nor Mr. Blinken disclosed any decisions, but both confirmed that they would relay the information to their respective leaders prior to their meeting later in the week. Mr. Blinken also mentioned to Sky News that President Biden is "keeping an open mind" about changing his stance.

This marks the initial meeting between Sir Keir and President Biden following the UK government's decision to suspend certain weapons export licenses to Israel during the continuing conflict in Gaza.

Last week in the House of Commons, Mr. Lammy declared the decision following legal counsel's warning to the government about a "clear risk" of these actions potentially leading to "a serious violation of international humanitarian law."

He encountered opposition from some Members of Parliament who believed this action weakened the UK's backing for Israel, and from others who argued that the prohibition should extend to all weapons export licenses.

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On that day, President Biden indicated that a conclusive hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas was imminent, expressing however that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not sufficiently proactive in reaching a settlement.

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