US’ Rubio, UK’s Miliband discuss Ukraine war, Europe taking greater role in its own security
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) meeting British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband at the US State Department in Washington, on Aug 5.
PHOTO: EPA
- US Secretary of State Rubio and UK Foreign Secretary Miliband discussed Europe's need to take a greater role in its own security during their Washington meeting.
- They emphasised support for Ukraine's security, linking it to European and transatlantic stability, with calls for more air defence amid Russian missile strikes.
- The two also committed to safe transit in the Strait of Hormuz, preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband discussed the importance of Europe taking a greater role in its security during a meeting in Washington on Aug 5, the State Department said in a statement.
A British official said they also reaffirmed the strength of the relationship between the two allies, including their shared commitment to the NATO security alliance.
Rubio told reporters before the meeting that Ukraine would also be on the agenda. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ratcheted up appeals to allies for more air defence missiles as Russia escalates ballistic missile strikes.
Miliband had planned to underline that Ukraine’s security is inseparable from European and transatlantic security, and to reiterate the UK’s commitment to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, his ministry said.
The State Department said the two also reiterated their shared commitment to safe transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to ensuring that Iran never develops or obtains a nuclear weapon.
In a statement issued before the meeting, Miliband underscored the importance of reopening the Gulf waterway to ease Britain’s cost-of-living crisis. He said he would also raise the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The meeting was productive and warm, and the two diplomats agreed to stay in close contact in coming weeks and months, the UK official said.
It was Miliband’s second meeting with Rubio after a brief introduction at the ASEAN meeting in Manila in July.
Miliband, Britain’s governor on the board of the World Bank, is also due to meet the multilateral development bank’s president, Ajay Banga, during his quick visit to Washington, the ministry said. REUTERS
