US President Biden to begin 3-nation tour with UK PM Sunak meet

US President Joe Biden left for a three-nation trip that will be dominated by a NATO summit to show support for Ukraine despite tensions about Kyiv's potential membership in the alliance.
Late on Sunday, Biden flew from Delaware's Dover Air Force Base to the United Kingdom, a crucial US ally. The US president will hold a meeting with King Charles of the UK on Monday for the first time since his coronation, according to the White House, to discuss environmental issues.
At 10 Downing Street, Biden will also have a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The impending NATO summit and Ukraine are likely to come up for discussion during their meetings, according to Sunak's spokesperson.
"As we face new and unprecedented challenges to our physical and economic security, our alliances are more important than ever," Sunak said in a statement released by his office on July 8.
"The UK is Europe's leading NATO ally, we are the United States' most important trade, defence and diplomatic partner, and we are at the forefront of providing Ukraine with the support they need to succeed on the battlefield," he added, as per media reports.
The main focus of Biden's travel to Europe will be the NATO summit taking place Tuesday and Wednesday in the capital of Lithuania, where the Western partners will debate aiding Ukraine in driving out invading Russian forces.

(ANI)