ALBAWABA - In an official statement, the US Department of State announced that Secretary Antony Blinken will embark on a visit to the United Kingdom, where he will be meeting with senior officials to discuss an array of issues including the Middle East and Ukraine.
"Secretary Blinken will meet with senior government officials to discuss a range of critical issues, including the Indo-Pacific, AUKUS partnership, the Middle East, and our collective efforts to support Ukraine," the statement reads.
The announcement comes simultaneously as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed a visit to Washington on September 13, where he will be meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House.
Starmer's visit will be the second of its kind since he took office in July, and comes at a time as Americans prepare to hit the polls in November to elect the new president.
He visited President Joe Biden at the White House on July 10, only days after taking office, while attending a NATO conference in Washington. During the visit, Blinkin and UK Secretary of State for Foreign David Lammy had also held a bilateral meeting.
Following the meeting, Lammy and Blinken "re-affirmed the importance of ensuring Ukraine has the economic, security, and humanitarian assistance it needs to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,".
Starmer has taken a tougher stance on Israel since assuming office, with his administration suspending some military shipments amid concerns that they may be used to violate humanitarian law.
The Labour administration has also shelved its Conservative predecessor's plans to challenge the International Criminal Court's authority to pursue the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
