Biden meets with new British prime minister

President Biden met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday on the Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, the place the 2 leaders recommitted their assist for Ukraine.

The White Home mentioned the leaders “mentioned Russia’s barbaric missile strikes in Ukraine and underscored their governments’ robust assist for Ukraine because it defends itself towards Russian aggression.”

“Additionally they mentioned the explosion that passed off within the japanese a part of Poland and our full assist for Poland’s ongoing investigation,” it mentioned.

Their assembly got here hours after a missile struck a grain silo in a village in Poland about 15 miles from the Ukraine border. Polish authorities mentioned the missile was Russian-made and Russia’s Protection Ministry has denied firing any missiles close to the Ukraine-Poland border

Biden vowed within the assembly to assist Ukraine for so long as wanted.

“It’s cruel. And it’s…approach excessive what they’re doing,” Biden mentioned within the assembly, referring to the Russian assault. “And at a second when world leaders right here in Bali are looking for to make progress on international peace, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is putting civilian targets and youngsters and girls. I imply, it’s simply … in my phrases, not yours, barbaric, what he’s doing.”

“I’m glad we’re on the identical web page when it comes to supporting Ukraine,” Biden added, talking to Sunak.

Biden and Sunak additionally coordinated on a variety of worldwide points, “together with the challenges posed by China,” in accordance with the White Home.

“They mentioned the worldwide have to step up ambitions to deal with the local weather disaster, in addition to the significance of securing sustainable and reasonably priced power provides,” the White Home mentioned, including that they “additionally affirmed their shared dedication to defending the features of the Belfast/Good Friday Settlement.”

Biden kicked off the assembly on Wednesday by calling the U.Okay. the “closest ally and closest pal” to the U.S.

Biden, 79, is America’s oldest president and Sunak, 42, is Britain’s youngest prime minister in 200 years, reporters touring with the president famous.

Sunak referred to as the U.S. the closest ally of the U.Okay., in addition to greatest buying and selling associate and closest safety associate.

Biden and Sunak spoke on the telephone hours after the prime minister formally took over final month. The 2 leaders targeted their dialog on coverage towards Ukraine and China and mentioned the significance of defending the Good Friday Settlement, which ended the Northern Eire battle.

Biden referred to as the U.Okay’s collection of Sunak “a groundbreaking milestone” throughout a reception to rejoice Diwali final month. Sunak turned the nation’s first chief of colour and the primary Hindu to serve within the function.

Sunak’s rise to prime minister got here amid political turmoil within the U.Okay. after former Prime Minister Liz Truss introduced her resignation after 45 days in workplace. He received management of the Conservative Occasion to function the nation’s third prime minister this 12 months.