'Putin Condemned' Liz UK Prime Minister "Will Increase Defense Budget to 3% of GDP"

Revealed in First Face-to-Face Meeting with Biden
"Continued Economic and Military Support for Ukraine"

British Prime Minister Liz Truss (left) and U.S. President Joe Biden held a bilateral meeting on the 21st (local time) at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA. (Photo by AP)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Amid increasing threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin towards Europe, newly appointed UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has pledged to raise the UK defense budget to 3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

On the 21st (local time), according to the White House and the UK Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Truss stated during a meeting with US President Joe Biden, "As the (Putin) dictatorship strengthens its autocracy, the world faces a great challenge," and promised, "We will closely cooperate with the United States to support Ukraine in the horrific war between Ukraine and Russia."

Truss met with President Biden in New York, where the United Nations General Assembly was being held. The first bilateral face-to-face meeting since her election as Prime Minister lasted about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with discussions mainly focused on Ukraine.

During the meeting, Truss condemned President Putin, who is making nuclear threats, and pledged to continue support for Ukraine, stating, "We will raise defense spending to 3% of GDP."

She added, "We aim to cooperate more closely with the United States on energy security and economic issues, and together with democratic countries, protect freedom and the future."

The UK Prime Minister's Office said, "Both leaders condemned President Putin's aggressive remarks," and "agreed that Putin's actions emphasize the need to continue economic and military support for Ukraine."

They also stated, "They agreed to continue close cooperation between the two governments on global challenges such as support for Ukraine, responding to challenges from China, preventing Iran's nuclear weapons development, and securing sustainable and reasonably priced energy supplies."

The UK Prime Minister's Office also reported that the two leaders emphasized the need to end excessive dependence on authoritarian countries in terms of energy, technology, and manufacturing supply chains.

They reached an agreement to intensify efforts to reduce energy dependence on Russia and increase the amount of renewable and other forms of energy coming from democratic countries.

Earlier, President Putin issued a surprise mobilization order for 300,000 reservists through state TV, stating, "We will use all means to protect Russia," and warned that Russia would respond strongly in case of emergency, accusing the West of "nuclear blackmail." This is the first time Russia has issued a wartime mobilization order since World War II.

Additionally, the importance of continued support for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria was mentioned.

They also confirmed a joint commitment to protect the benefits of the Belfast Agreement (Good Friday Agreement), which guarantees free movement of people and goods within the island of Ireland.

After Brexit (the UK's withdrawal from the EU), the UK and the European Union decided to keep Northern Ireland, which shares a border with Ireland, within the EU single market due to its unique situation. However, there is currently conflict between the UK and the EU over compliance with this agreement.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.