Tue Nov 19 14:36:48 UTC 2024: ## UK Prime Minister Pushes for Biden Meeting, Increased Ukraine Support Before Trump’s Return

**Paris/London** – As the shadow of Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House looms, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is intensifying efforts to secure increased military and financial aid for Ukraine. Starmer is pushing for a face-to-face meeting with President Biden at next week’s G20 summit in Brazil to discuss vital support for Ukraine before the transition of power.

A key focus is securing the release of a promised $20 billion (£15.5 billion) loan to Ukraine, part of a larger $50 billion G7 pledge. The UK is reportedly prepared to “hold Biden’s feet to the fire” on this commitment. Foreign Secretary David Lammy will also press for the loan’s release at a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Rome later this month.

Furthermore, Starmer is lobbying for a change in US policy regarding the use of Storm Shadow missiles. While Ukraine currently has permission to use these long-range missiles, their deployment is restricted to areas just over the Russian border. Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed this issue during a private meeting in Paris, advocating for allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia. This stance is supported by Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, who stated that denying Ukraine victory would be “a green light to aggressors everywhere.”

Concerns are rising in European capitals that a Trump presidency will pressure Ukraine into ceding Russian-held territory in exchange for peace. Trump’s past statements on the conflict fuel these anxieties. The G20 summit is seen as a crucial opportunity to accelerate aid delivery to Ukraine before a potential shift in US policy.

Read More