British Foreign Secretary David Cameron arrived in Washington on Tuesday to urge senior Republicans to release funds for Ukraine, following a meeting with a doubtful Donald Trump in Florida.
Cameron emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s success for American and European security. Still, the former president and presumed Republican nominee has expressed reservations about ongoing U.S. support, leading to delays in Congress in approving an aid package for Kyiv. The U.K.’s Foreign Office confirmed the meeting, describing it as “productive.”
David Cameron (Credits: The Times of Isreal)
The U.K. government stated that it is customary for government officials to meet opposition leaders from allied nations during election years. Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously met with U.K. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer in February, who is expected to become prime minister in an upcoming election later this year.
Cameron and Trump have had obvious disagreements in the past. Cameron criticized Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from the U.S. during his first presidential campaign, calling it “divisive, stupid, and wrong.”
David Cameron (Credits: Reddit)
The Trump campaign released a statement saying the meeting covered various topics impacting both countries, including upcoming elections, Brexit implications, NATO commitments, and the situation in Ukraine. They also discussed their mutual admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Cameron, who served as prime minister during the U.K.’s Brexit referendum, resigned after voters narrowly chose to leave the EU. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unexpectedly appointed Cameron as Britain’s top diplomat last year.
In Washington, Cameron aims to persuade U.S. lawmakers to approve a new aid package for Ukraine, warning that continued delays jeopardize Western security. He plans to meet with lawmakers such as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and hopes to speak with House Speaker Mike Johnson.
A $60-billion military aid package for Ukraine is stalled in the House of Representatives, with populist conservatives and some mainstream Republicans seeking concessions on border security before supporting the bill.
Ahead of his trip, Cameron emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s success and failure for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He warned that failure to support Ukraine would encourage further aggression from Putin and send a concerning message to other countries like China, Iran, and North Korea.
Cameron also plans to discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict, including efforts to reach a sustainable ceasefire and deliver aid to Gaza, during talks with officials such as Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
The U.K. is deploying a Royal Navy ship to the eastern Mediterranean to assist in establishing a maritime aid corridor between Cyprus and a temporary U.S.-built pier in Gaza.
