US: Joe Biden meets with UK PM Sunak at G20 Summit

US President Joe Biden met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali this week. Both leaders discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine, Northern Ireland, the challenges posed by China, and other key issues.

The White House said Biden and Sunak met for talks Wednesday on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Indonesia. Both leaders reaffirmed the two countries’ support for Ukraine in the ongoing war, as well as support for the probe that was carried out in Poland after a missile killed two people on Polish soil. The US leader said earlier in the day that the missile likely did not come from Russia, regarding the strike.

The initial findings of the probe, according to US officials, suggested that the missile was fired by Ukrainian forces to intercept an incoming Russian rocket.

A spokesperson for Downing Street said that Sunak and Biden both held Russian leader Vladimir Putin responsible for the rising inflation and global economic issues caused by his war on Ukraine. Both leaders also agreed on the importance of continued engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

Both statements from Downing Street and the White House also said that the two leaders discussed upholding the Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement, which promoted cooperation between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The meeting was also the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since Sunak took office as prime minister, and Biden said during the meeting that the United Kingdom was Washington’s closest ally and closest friend.

Sunak said that the partnership between the US and the UK was unique, and their values and interests were in line with each other.

Sunak also expressed optimism that the two countries could deepen their economic relationship but said that he did not mention a trade agreement with Biden. Sunak said that he did not “discuss the trade deal in particular” with the US leader but talked about economic cooperation, especially on energy.

“I am filled with optimism about our ability to do more trade with the US, to deepen our economic relationship. That can happen in lots of different ways,” Sunak told a news conference.