British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly began his first bilateral visit to North America on Tuesday, January 17th, with the goal of deepening diplomatic, trade, intelligence, and security ties with the United States and Canada. The visit also serves as a show of support for Ukraine in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion.
Cleverly will hold talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly in Toronto, focusing on international cooperation and support for Ukraine as the country approaches the second year of conflict.
"The UK, US, and Canada always have each other's backs when it counts, protecting the rules-based order for nearly eighty years," Cleverly said in a statement. "Today we stand united against Putin's illegal war, and we will continue to use our uniquely strong defence and security ties to ensure that, in the end, the Ukrainian people will win."
The UK has already committed to match or exceed funding for military aid to Ukraine in 2023, with £2.3bn in military support already provided in the past year to help turn the tide of the war and secure Ukrainian battlefield victories.
In addition to discussions about Ukraine, Cleverly will also raise the issue of Iran with his counterparts. The UK recently recalled its Ambassador to Iran and sanctioned Iran's Prosecutor General following the execution of British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari.
During his visit to the US, Cleverly will also set out the UK's foreign policy priorities at the Centre for Strategic & International Studies in Washington D.C. and lay a wreath at the US Army Arlington National Cemetery. In Canada, Cleverly and Joly will discuss closer coordination on sanctions and the UK's efforts to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as well as progress towards a bilateral free trade agreement.
Cleverly's visit to North America reflects the value the UK places on its relationships with the US and Canada and underscores the UK's role as a steadfast ally, defense partner, and a great place to do business.
Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street