U.S. and UK officials urge Europe to shoulder more of its own security

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband convened in Washington to underscore the importance of Europe taking a more active part in its own security framework. Rubio announced that discussions would include Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is intensifying calls for more air-defence missiles as Russia escalates its ballistic missile campaign. Miliband reiterated the United Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary, emphasizing that Kyiv’s safety is inseparable from European and transatlantic security.

Both officials also restated their shared resolve to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and to block Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. In a pre-meeting statement, Miliband stressed the strategic value of reopening the Gulf waterway to alleviate Britain’s cost-of-living challenges and said he would address the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza. The meeting marked Miliband’s second encounter with Rubio, following a brief introduction at an ASEAN summit in Manila, and preceded his scheduled talks with World Bank President Ajay Banga.