Getty ImagesUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to London on Monday for a two-day visit, during which he will meet Foreign Secretary David Lamy.
The State Department said Blinken would launch the so-called “US-UK Strategic Dialogue” – a series of meetings between senior officials that Washington described as a “reaffirmation” of the “special relationship” between the two countries.
The State Department said Blinken will “discuss a range of key issues, including the Indo-Pacific, the AUKUS partnership, the Middle East and our collective efforts to support Ukraine.”
It is understood Mr Blinken is also likely to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer while in the UK.
The foreign secretary met Mr Blinken in July when Keir Starmer visited Washington for the first time as prime minister for a NATO summit.
After the meeting, the State Department said Blinken and Lamy “reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that Ukraine receives the economic, security and humanitarian assistance it needs to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
The two also “discussed the need for a ceasefire in Gaza to secure the release of hostages and lay the foundation for a lasting peace”.
Mr. Blinken frequently visits Israel; Since the Hamas attack on October 7 last year, it has occurred 10 times.
After his recent meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken says Israeli prime minister has accepted what Washington calls ‘transition proposal’ It is intended to try to resolve sticking points and bring Israel and Hamas closer to a deal.
pressure Calls for Mr Netanyahu to strike a deal grow louderwidespread protests broke out in Israel last week.
On Friday, the White House announced that the British Prime Minister will also travel to Washington and hold a second bilateral meeting with President Biden at the White House on Friday, September 13.
The British Prime Minister said his first face-to-face meeting with President Joe Biden in July was an opportunity to “recommit” to NATO and the “special relationship” between Britain and the United States.
Ahead of next week’s meeting, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Starmer and Biden would have “an in-depth discussion on a range of global issues of mutual interest”.
The White House added that “vigorous support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression” will also be discussed, as well as securing the release of hostages and a ceasefire agreement to end the war in Gaza.
The White House added: “President Biden will emphasize the importance of continuing to strengthen the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.”
