United Front: US and UK Unite in Call for Peace Across the Taiwan Strait Amid Rising Tensions
US and UK Launch Strategic Dialogue, Focusing on Russia-Ukraine War and Indo-Pacific Security
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy launched the “British-American Strategic Dialogue” in London on Tuesday, September 10.
The two sides discussed the Russia-Ukraine war and Indo-Pacific security issues, according to a press release from the US Department of State. Blinken emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait during a joint press conference after the talks.
“Maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is crucial to countries around the world,” Blinken said. “It’s vital for both of us to maintain peace and stability and maintain the status quo. It’s not just important to us. It’s vital to all the countries around the world.”
Blinken and Lammy also discussed working together to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.
The two officials announced that they will jointly visit Kiev this week to demonstrate their commitment and support for Ukraine. This will be the first such visit in over a decade.
Blinken stated that the joint visit reflects the “strong transatlantic support” of the United States and Britain with NATO allies, Indo-Pacific partners, and over 50 countries that continue to firmly support Ukraine.
Regarding Russia’s ongoing aggression, Blinken noted that the country’s ability to continue its actions is partly due to support from the Chinese Communist Party, which is the largest supplier of machine tools and microelectronics to Russia.
The United States and Britain have agreed to hold accountable Chinese entities involved in supporting the Russian war machine.
On the prospects of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Blinken believes that “more than 90% of the issues have been agreed upon and decided”, leaving only a few issues that, although difficult, are completely solvable.
A ceasefire agreement “will open up prospects that could fundamentally change Israel’s long-term security, including the prospect of normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel”, according to Blinken.