U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom James Cleverly in Washington D.C. on January 17 to discuss the Russian aggression in Ukraine and threats posed by Iran’s nuclear program.
During his meeting with the UK foreign secretary, Blinken said that “our shared work to confront the threats posed by [Russian] President Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine was at the top of the agenda.” Blinken highlighted that both U.S. President Biden and British Prime Minister Sunak remain committed to standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Blinken added, “Our teams are in lockstep as we coordinate our efforts both with one another and our many allies and partners.” The U.S. secretary also applauded British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s commitment to Ukraine and decision to send “Challenger 2 tanks and additional artillery systems”, which will reinforce Ukraine and add to what the United States has provided to the country.
The foreign secretaries of both countries posted on their Twitter: “Our partnership has never been stronger. Together, we’re united against Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable, and horrific invasion of Ukraine.”
The leaders agreed that “just and durable peace” is the common objective of both countries and can only be achieved by putting Ukraine in the “strongest position”.
Secretary Blinken also said that the United States stand with the British Government in “condemning Iran’s execution of Iranian-British dual national Alireza Akbari”, which they believe was unjust and politically motivated.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly praised the U.S. efforts and “longstanding commitment to protecting freedom and opposing tyranny.”
Cleverly said that both the UK and the United States stand with “the brave and dignified people of Iran as they demand their rights to live free of terror and oppression.” The United Kingdom has recently sanctioned the individuals involved in the oppression, including the Iranian prosecutor general, who was involved with the execution of Mr. Akbari.
Both leaders agreed that Iran’s nuclear program poses a threat to international peace and security, “which has never been more advanced”. The U.S. and the UK are determined that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon, the UK foreign secretary said.
The leaders also discussed threats posed by China and extended their commitment to deepen engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Blinken said, “We look forward to continuing our close consultation on a host of issues in the region, including maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
