Biden says ‘I don’t think much about Vladimir Putin’ as Starmer visits US
Russia warns Western powers to "think about the consequences" if they allow Ukraine to use long range strikes, ITV News Political Correspondent Anushka Asthana reports
US President Joe Biden has said he does not "think much about Vladimir Putin” as he and Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined for talks about the conflict in Ukraine.
The pair sat in the Blue Room at the White House on Friday, as Starmer said the UK and US are “strategically aligned” in their attempts to resolve the war.
Starmer told the US President: “Historically, we’ve shown the strength of our relationship.
“We are strategically aligned and we have a common cause on these global issues.”
The PM said the next weeks and months will be “crucial” in Ukraine and added it was “important” that the two countries continued their support for the eastern European nation in its fight against Putin's Russia.
Asked what he thought about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threat of war, Biden told reporters ahead of the meeting: “I don’t think much about Vladimir Putin.”
This follows Putin's warning on Thursday threatening that Nato will face war with Russia if the West allows Ukraine to use long-range missiles deep inside Russian territory
He told Russian state media: “It would mean that Nato countries, the US, European countries, are at war with Russia.
“If that’s the case, then taking into account the change of nature of the conflict, we will take the appropriate decisions based on the threats that we will face.”
Biden thanked Starmer for his leadership during the Ukraine conflict, adding: “Putin will not prevail in this war”.
He said: “The United States is committed to standing with you to help Ukraine as it defends against Russia’s onslaught of aggression.
“It’s clear that Putin will not prevail in this war. The people of Ukraine will prevail.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his frustration at the continued restrictions on the use of Western long-range missiles.
In a lengthy statement posted on X, Mr Zelensky said after meeting with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his US counterpart Antony Blinken on Wednesday, “there should be no unanswered questions about why Ukraine needs sufficient long-range capabilities”.
Lammy also announced £600 million of "vital" support for Ukraine while they "endure relentless Russian attacks," while Blinken revealed $717 million (£550 million) in aid from the US.
Biden said the two leaders would talk about Ukraine, the need for a hostage and ceasefire deal for the Israel-Gaza war, and about the Indo-Pacific region.
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