Relations between the two leaders are already strained by her threats as foreign secretary to destroy Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trade arrangements. Biden has expressed concerns that peace in the province should not be undermined by the Brexit dispute, and as a result has been reluctant to strike a free trade deal with the UK. However, the pair are likely to find common ground on pursuing a hard line against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, as well as a common stance on China. Truss will use her visit to the UN general assembly in New York to underline Britain’s long-term commitment to Ukraine and its people by pledging at least £2.3 billion in military aid next year. In recent days, Ukraine has made major military gains against Russia, with territory in the east of the country liberated from its armed forces. The UK is expected to provide more equipment to the country, such as the multiple-launch missile system that has helped Ukraine reclaim more than 3,000 square kilometers (1,200 square miles) in recent days. It is already Ukraine’s second-biggest military donor after the US, pledging £2.3 billion in 2022 and providing hundreds of missiles and five air defense systems, as well as training troops. Ahead of the trip, Truss said: “Ukraine’s wins in recent weeks have been inspiring. Time and again these brave men have defied the naysayers and shown what they can do when given the military, financial and political support they need. “My message to the people of Ukraine is this: the UK will continue to be right behind you every step of the way. Your safety is our safety.” He will also tell fellow leaders that they must end Putin’s economic blackmail by removing all energy dependence on Russia. Earlier this month Russia shut down the Nord Stream pipeline again, with supply constraints leading to further spikes in energy prices. Truss said: “By turning off the Nord Stream gas pipeline, Putin has dragged millions of people into Europe into a colder and more difficult winter. “Too many lives – in Ukraine, in Europe and around the world – are being manipulated by dependence on Russian energy. We need to work together to end this once and for all.” The prime minister wants to use the diplomatic visit to encourage global efforts to prevent Russia from profiting from its energy exports while ending energy dependence on authoritarian regimes. Her most important bilateral talks, which will define the next two years of the “special relationship”, will be with Biden after a planned Downing Street meeting was rescheduled for Wednesday at the UN. While there are pre-existing tensions over Brexit between the two leaders, who inherited Boris Johnson’s government, both sides are said to be hoping to improve the relationship amid signs that talks between the UK and the EU will resume on the protracted conflict. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Meanwhile, Labor said Truss had been “snobbed” by Biden after their planned meeting before the Queen’s funeral did not go ahead. David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary who is also traveling to New York for bilateral meetings, said he should “bring the UK back in from the cold and start rebuilding our country’s diplomatic influence”. He argued that “12 years of Tory governments making diplomatic blunders, announcing plans to breach international law, failing to deliver on climate action promises and cutting international aid” had “damaged relations with the US and left Britain isolated on the world stage ». . Lammy added that Truss “urgently needs to realize the damage her reckless approach to foreign policy is doing to the UK’s national interest” and said a Labor government would scrap the “illegal” protocol bill and “return at the table with the EU”. as well as restoring the UK aid target of 0.7%. After a meeting between Truss and Irish Prime Minister Michel Martin on Sunday, both sides agreed there was an opportunity to restore UK-Ireland relations, giving hope that talks with Brussels will resume in the coming months. weeks. During Truss’ two-day trip to New York, she will hold a series of bilateral meetings with other leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron. It will be the first official meeting between the pair since Truss made comments during the Tory leadership race that the jury was “out” on whether Macron was “friend or foe”. She will also address the UN directly in a speech on Wednesday, with British officials privately believing that, despite her occasional delivery, she will be better received than Boris Johnson, who last year left diplomats baffled by his ramblings about Kermit the Frog. When she returns to British soil on Thursday, Truss will put the finishing touches to her mini-budget, which is expected to confirm cuts to national insurance. IFS analysis on Monday found that the lowest paid workers would gain just 63p a month from the move, while the wealthiest could get back £150 a month.
