President Joe Biden Arrives in U.K. for First Stop of European Tour, Discusses War in Ukraine with Prime Minister Boris Johnson

President Joe Biden arrived in the United Kingdom on Monday for the first stop of his three-nation European tour. During his visit, Biden is scheduled to meet with King Charles III and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Biden and Johnson discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and the president’s efforts to rally an international coalition against Russia’s invasion of its neighbor. During the meeting, Biden discussed his decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine, a move which has been met with criticism from the U.K. government, which is a signatory to a convention that discourages their use. A spokesperson for the prime minister said that it was up to each country to make its own determination.

The president and prime minister also discussed the need for Ukraine to have the necessary weaponry and capacity to defend itself. Biden expressed his belief that the U.S. has a moral obligation to provide Ukraine with the necessary resources to protect itself.

Biden’s visit to the U.K. will be marked by a bit of royal pomp, including a royal salute, a viewing of U.S.-related artifacts at Windsor Castle, and tea time for the two men. Biden did not attend Charles’s coronation, sending first lady Jill Biden instead.

The president’s European tour will continue on Tuesday with a visit to Geneva, Switzerland, where he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden has said that his goal is to “make it clear to Putin that the United States will not stand idly by in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine and elsewhere.”