Joe Biden lands in Britain with plan to strengthen UK-US ‘special relationship’

Mr Biden is stopping in the UK for a short trip US President Joe Biden has arrived at Stansted Airport for his brief visit to the UK on his way to a NATO summit in Lithuania. The White House said the trip was designed “to further strengthen the close relationship between our nations”, but Mr Biden is flying into a row over his decision to send cluster bombs, which are banned by most allies, to Ukraine. During the visit he will meet with Rishi Sunak and discuss climate change with King Charles, his first meeting with the monarch since he was crowned. The president will travel to Downing Street on Monday to hold a low-key meeting with Sunak, their fifth in as many months. Mr Sunak’s spokesperson said their discussions would likely include the upcoming NATO summit and Ukraine. Mr Biden arrived this evening READ MORE: Ring of steel erected around London as Joe Biden to arrive in hours In a statement released by his office on Saturday, Mr Sunak said: “As we face new and unprecedented challenges to our physical and economic security, our alliances are more important than ever.” He added: “The UK is Europe’s leading NATO ally, we are the United States’ most important trade, defence and diplomatic partner, and we are at the forefront of providing Ukraine with the support they need to succeed on the battlefield. Financial Secretary Victoria Atkins said the leaders would discuss Ukraine today (MON). “In relation to cluster bombs, we the UK, have signed the convention that prohibits their use. Of course, we stick by the convention,” she said. Joe Biden leaving the US earlier today The US President has stirred controversy over the supply of cluster bombs to Ukraine SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info “We are trying to do what we can to support to Ukraine. Last year we spent £2.3billion in giving Ukraine help in all sorts of practical ways, including heavy artillery, tanks and so on and we will continue that this year.” Ms Atkins added: “We are very pleased that President Biden is coming this week. It’s the fifth time the Prime Minister and President have met in five months, so the special relationship is very much still strong and secure.” Labour’s Rachel Reeves said she was concerned about US plans to arm Ukraine with cluster munitions. She said: “We all agree that Ukraine needs to be properly armed to fight Russia and their illegal invasion. But I am concerned about the use of cluster bombs, and it is not just the UK who has these concerns, other countries clearly do as well. The US said the visit will strengthen the countries’ close bond “So I would like to find a way to properly arm Ukraine but without using these weapons which can have an impact, not just on the battlefield that time, on that day, but for months and years afterwards. “That is something that causes me deep concern, and many other people as well. While I support President Biden’s desire to ensure Ukraine is fully armed to fight Russia, I am not convinced that these are the appropriate weapons.” Mr Biden said it was a “difficult decision” to send cluster bombs to Ukraine and sought to justify the move as needed to fortify Kyiv’s depleting ammunition stocks. Cluster munitions deploy a large number of bomblets across a wide area. Unexploded bomblets can continue to pose a threat to civilians long after conflicts end. The Convention on Cluster Munitions prohibits their use or stockpiling because of their indiscriminate effect on civilian populations, but the US, Ukraine and Russia are not signatories. Mr Biden and King Charles met earlier in 2021 Trending