Washington DC, United States

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron reiterated their countries’ support for Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia, on Tuesday (Apr 9), and urged the United States House of Representatives to pass a bill for aid to Kyiv. 

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US, UK reiterate support for Ukraine

“We know that if we give the Ukrainians the support they deserve, they can win this war,” said Cameron, during a joint press conference with Blinken amid his visit to Washington. 

Meanwhile, Washington’s top diplomat said that it is “imperative” that the US House vote on Ukraine aid “as quickly as possible,” as it is back in session. 

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This comes as House speaker and Republican Mike Johnson, on Monday (Apr 8) returned to work amid mounting pressure from some members of his own party who have opposed passing a bill that would send additional aid to Ukraine. 

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President Joe Biden’s administration has requested a supplemental budget which includes money for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The bill includes $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine but has been stuck in the US House for months.

Blinken, on Tuesday, called this request “urgent,” saying that the US needs to do its part to support Ukraine along with European and other allies. 

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In February, the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package, but after weeks of back and forth, it was rejected by the House. Johnson later indicated that the House would consider an amended proposal. 

Cameron, citing his Ukrainian counterpart, said that Kyiv needs air defences, ammunition and money. “Nothing is more important than the supplemental request the Congress is looking at the moment,” said the UK foreign secretary. 

Cameron’s meeting with Trump

Ahead of his meeting with Blinken in Washington, Cameron met with former US President Donald Trump, on Monday (Apr 8) at the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s Florida home. 

Cameron and Trump discussed the war in Ukraine and the “need for NATO countries to meet their defense spending requirements,” said the Republican frontrunner’s campaign. 

The UK foreign secretary has been urging Republicans to approve the aid package, which has particularly angered hard-right members of the GOP, including Marjorie Taylor Greene. 

In an interview with Sky News, last month, Greene said that Cameron “needs to worry about his own country and, frankly, he can kiss my ass.” 

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Over dinner at the former president’s Mar-a-Lago estate, the two also discussed “the upcoming U.S. and UK elections, policy matters specific to Brexit, the need for NATO countries to meet their defense spending requirements, and ending the killing in Ukraine,” said Trump’s campaign in a statement. 

Cameron, on Tuesday, said that he and Trump “discussed a range of important geopolitical subjects.” 

He also said that his meeting with the former president was “entirely proper” and is not uncommon for British ministers to speak with opposition politicians in the run-up to elections.

(With inputs from agencies)