UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Washington on Monday to meet US counterpart Marco Rubio. The visit aims to strengthen diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Talks will also focus on sustaining the Gaza ceasefire and regional peace initiatives.
Cooper’s trip comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders of France and Germany in London. It follows recent discussions between Ukrainian and US officials in Miami over a US-led peace plan. Zelenskyy described a recent call with US envoys as “very substantive and constructive.”
Read more: Ukraine peace in focus as Zelenskyy meets European leaders
The UK Foreign Office said the meetings would reaffirm the commitment of both nations to a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine. Cooper will also discuss humanitarian access and urge warring parties in Sudan to agree to a truce. The talks aim to prevent further atrocities and strengthen international cooperation.
Despite the Gaza ceasefire, over 350 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have been killed, highlighting ongoing tensions. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the second phase of the US-sponsored ceasefire plan would begin soon, calling it “more difficult” than the first phase.
Read more: Trump accuses Ukraine of ingratitude as officials meet in Geneva
Cooper also announced London will host the Illicit Finance Summit next summer to tackle global “dirty money” flows. The June 23-24 summit will bring governments, civil society, and banks together to prevent, disrupt, and recover illicit funds.