Keir Starmer to meet Joe Biden for first time this week at White House

Keir Starmer is due to meet Joe Biden for the first time at the White House this week as he travels to Washington for a major Nato summit of world leaders.

The US president’s spokesman confirmed he would hold bilateral talks on Wednesday as the new prime minister sought to underline the strength of the special relationship despite the change in British government.

Starmer’s first meeting with Biden would normally be a highlight, but with questions raging over the US president’s age and health, some careful choreography may be required.

Just four days after securing a historic election victory, Starmer will also use his first international trip to underline the UK’s “unwavering” commitment to Ukraine at a time when the US election later this year brings uncertainty.

The possible return of Donald Trump, whose continued support for NATO and Ukraine in its conflict with Russia is unclear, could cast a shadow over the summit.

Starmer is also expected to speak to Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, on the sidelines of the summit, having met him at D-Day commemorations in France during the general election campaign.

New Defence Secretary John Healey visited Ukraine earlier this week and pledged that Britain would provide additional weapons to kyiv and speed up efforts to provide previously promised military support.

During the general election campaign, Starmer pledged multi-year financial support for Ukraine after Rishi Sunak announced Britain would spend £3bn a year on military aid and said he would push NATO allies to do the same.

Although Labour has committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence, it has not given a date for achieving this, beyond which economic conditions will allow.

Starmer has faced calls to clarify the party’s commitment to defence spending. Alan West, a Labour peer and retired Royal Navy admiral, told The Times: “I think we should say when we’re going to get to 2.5%. ‘When the situation allows’ is not really enough – Putin’s not going to wait until we’re in a good enough situation before he attacks.”

Former army chief General Sir Patrick Sanders also called on Labour to increase its commitment, telling the newspaper that an increase of around 3% was needed.

NATO leaders face a degree of political uncertainty in Europe, where Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call early elections has led to instability in France while Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has been criticised for travelling to Moscow for talks on a “peace deal” with Vladimir Putin.

The summit, designed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of NATO’s founding, will be the first since Sweden joined the alliance after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Starmer will also try to reassure Nato allies of his party’s support under his leadership, after his predecessor as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said organisations like Nato could create “greater danger” in the world.

This weekend, Downing Street released an excerpt from the new prime minister’s first conversation with Biden, the first world leader he has spoken to on the phone since taking office.

“Mr. Prime Minister, congratulations,” the 81-year-old US president said in a call connected to Air Force One. “What a victory! Congratulations.”

In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “President Biden… will underscore the importance of continuing to strengthen the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.”

Besides Ukraine, she said the two leaders would discuss issues including a “free and open” Indo-Pacific, a ceasefire in Gaza, preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and protecting commercial shipping from Houthi rebels.