Washington DC, 18 January 2023 (TDI): Secretary Antony Blinken met with the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom (UK) James Cleverly at the Department of State.
Both Secretaries deliberated upon the diplomatic, trade, and securities ties, and ensured to keep up the fight against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Secretary Blinken welcomed Secretary James Cleverly and said, “We have been together on many occasions and it is pleasure to have ‘James’ here at the Department of State for the first time in his current role”.
Ukraine Issue
The Secretary of state Antony Blinken said that the top agenda of both countries is to confront President Putin’s war of aggression on Ukraine. President Biden and Prime Minister Sunak have committed to stand with Ukraine as long as it takes.
In addition, he added, “In the coming days, the United States will announce more security assistance to Ukraine”. He also reminded that the US has provided nearly $25 Billion in security assistance to Ukraine over less than a year.
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The United States also applauded the UK’s commitment to security assistance to Ukraine, which will reinforce and strengthen Ukraine’s position against Russian invasion.
Furthermore, he added that “we remain united in strengthening our humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people. Through the G7 we are working with the U.K and other partners to help Ukraine repair and restore”.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly added that, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Casablanca conference in 1943, where Winston Churchill and Roosevelt planned the liberation of Europe and planned the victory over aggression.
Today once again the United Kingdom and the United States are united against Russian aggression and planning to liberate the People of Ukraine against the aggression.
In addition, he added that “As you have seen, Britain has decided to accelerate our support, including the supply to Ukraine of main battle tanks, heavy artillery, and other military systems”.
On Iran
Both Secretaries also discussed the repression of the Iranian regime. Secretary Blinken said that the US stands with the British government in condemning Iran’s execution of Iranian-British national Alireza Akbari which was politically motivated and unjust.
The United States will continue to work with the United Kingdom and other partners to hold Iranian leadership accountable for the repression. It will continue to stand with brave Iranians who are standing up for their basic rights, said the Secretary of State.
Furthermore, James Cleverly added that the UK condemned Iran’s leadership for inflicting bloodshed on their regional neighbors by arming and supporting military extremists and militias.
Now Iran has gone further by supplying drones to Russia, which results in civilian deaths. UK will join the US and other allies to hold Iranian leadership accountable for violations of the rights of their people and by making themselves accomplices to Putin’s assault on Ukraine.
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