Blinken to Discuss Support for Ukraine in Meetings with Senior Officials in London, Reports Reuters

By Kylie MacLellan and Daphne Psaledakis

LONDON – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other UK officials in London on Tuesday to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia, as well as the broader implications of the situation in the Middle East.

During his discussions with Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Blinken is expected to address a range of topics, including developments in the Indo-Pacific region and the AUKUS defense pact involving the U.S., Australia, and Britain.

This visit takes place following a denial from a senior Iranian official regarding allegations that Tehran supplied Russia with ballistic missiles. A spokesperson for the European Union referred to reports suggesting that Iran had transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia as "credible."

Reports from various news outlets indicated last week that Iran had indeed sent missiles to Russia, which continues its military operations in Ukraine more than two and a half years after the initial invasion in 2022. The ongoing conflict has led to significant civilian casualties, the displacement of millions of Ukrainians, and widespread destruction of cities and towns.

Russian forces are gradually advancing in eastern Ukraine. A month ago, Ukrainian forces conducted their first substantial offensive into Russian territory, successfully capturing parts of the Kursk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been urging Western nations to provide additional long-range missile capabilities and to ease restrictions on their use against targets in Russia, such as airfields.

Blinken’s visit also follows the UK’s recent suspension of certain arms export licenses to Israel, influenced by concerns that the equipment could be deployed in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Biden administration is facing pressure from war critics to reconsider some arms deliveries to Israel, a key ally in the Middle East.

During his time in London, Blinken and Lammy will initiate discussions on a UK-U.S. Strategic Dialogue aimed at reinforcing their bilateral relationship, promoting growth and security. This dialogue will encompass essential areas of cooperation, including defense, security, Europe, Ukraine, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, and other global priorities.

"In a more volatile and insecure world, it is even more important that we are highly aligned nations," Lammy stated in a message prior to the meeting.