UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting urged the United States to support Ukraine during his visit to Washington, D.C., as tensions rise following a controversial decision regarding the Starlink satellite internet service. Streeting emphasized that backing Ukraine aligns with America's long-term economic interests and presents a significant business opportunity.

Context of the Visit

In a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Streeting addressed the recent challenges stemming from the U.S. government's decision to limit Starlink's use by Ukraine's military. He acknowledged the importance of American support, stating,

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"American support in Ukraine has been significant and it has made, I think, a real impact in the Ukrainian war effort. And we and the Ukrainians would feel the absence of that."

Streeting highlighted the potential for a strong defence-industrial relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine, framing it as an opportunity for both nations.

Key Discussions

The meeting with U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth was expected to cover various pressing issues, including:

  • The safety of U.S. military bases in the UK following threats from Iran.
  • Cooperation to assist Saudi Arabia, which has faced attacks from Yemen’s Houthis.
  • The urgent situation in Ukraine, particularly in light of recent comments from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who expressed feelings of betrayal by former President Donald Trump over the Starlink issue.