Biden welcomes Starmer to White House: What did they talk about?

US President Joe Biden welcomed newly appointed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the White House on Wednesday, saying that the United Kingdom is the “glue” that binds NATO together, while congratulating him on the England football team’s victory at the European Championship.

Speaking at a transatlantic alliance summit in Washington, the British politician, who took power after the clear victory of the Labour Party last week, insisted that his country has a “special relationship” with the US.

The connection between the two countries, he stressed in statements at the beginning of this first meeting as prime minister with Biden, “is stronger than ever,” to which the American added that they are “the best allies.”

Starmer also had time to joke about England’s victory over the Netherlands at the European Championship, to which Biden replied that “it’s all thanks to the prime minister”, who had just taken the time during the NATO summit to watch the match just as England tied the game.

This is the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders, following Starmer’s victory and just days after the US president called him to congratulate him on his new position.

Before the meeting, Biden said the two had “a lot to discuss,” but did not elaborate.

However, as the British government announced in a statement prior to the meeting, Starmer will convey to Biden his “determination” to face the challenges facing Western countries.

Specifically, he will insist that his country is committed to continuing to support Ukraine and increasing its defence spending from 2 to 2.5% of its GDP to achieve this goal.

On Wednesday, NATO member countries declared Ukraine’s path to joining the alliance irreversible and pledged not only to support the country in the long term, but also to strengthen their own defense and deterrence capabilities.

They also pledged to provide a minimum of $43.316 billion at today’s exchange rate in military aid for Ukraine in 2025 to help it repel a Russian invasion.