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• Foreign Secretary begins a visit to Washington DC and Toronto to deepen diplomatic, trade and security ties and to keep up the fight against Putin鈥檚 illegal invasion

• James Cleverly to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Canadian Foreign Minister M茅lanie Joly and other senior government figures

• the Foreign Secretary will discuss coordinated efforts to help Ukraine prevail over Russian aggression, as well as deepening our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and on intelligence, security and humanitarian issues

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly begins his first bilateral visit in post to North America today (Tuesday 17 January) to deepen diplomatic, trade, intelligence and security ties and to stand against Putin鈥檚 illegal invasion of Ukraine.聽

James Cleverly will hold an intensive round of diplomatic talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington and Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs M茅lanie Joly in Toronto, to encourage international cooperation and support for Ukraine as we approach the second year of the conflict.

The Foreign Secretary will stress to the 2 allies that now is the time to go further and faster in giving Ukraine the tools to win the war. He will underline that, with the right equipment, the Ukrainian people will prevail. This is part of the Prime Minister鈥檚 commitment to accelerate the UK鈥檚 diplomatic and military support in the coming weeks in a bid to push Russia further back and secure a lasting peace.

The UK has already committed to match or exceed funding for military aid to Ukraine in 2023. Last year the UK provided 拢2.3 billion in military support that has already helped turn the tide in the war and secure successive Ukrainian battlefield victories.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The UK, US and Canada always have each other鈥檚 backs when it counts, protecting the rules-based order for nearly 80 years.

Today we stand united against Putin鈥檚 illegal war, and we will continue to use our uniquely strong defence and security ties to ensure that, in the end, the Ukrainian people will win.

The Foreign Secretary will also raise Iran with counterparts, after the UK temporarily recalled its Ambassador to Iran and sanctioned Iran鈥檚 Prosecutor General, following the execution of British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari.

During his visit to the US, the Foreign Secretary will set out the UK鈥檚 foreign policy priorities at a in Washington DC on Tuesday. On Wednesday he will lay a wreath at the US Army Arlington National Cemetery.

In Canada on Wednesday, the Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Joly will discuss closer coordination on sanctions, and he will welcome Canada鈥檚 leadership in standing up against the arbitrary detention of foreign nationals for diplomatic ends.

He will also discuss the UK鈥檚 ongoing efforts to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and progress towards a bilateral free trade agreement.

Following bilateral talks, the Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Joly will meet members of the Ukrainian diaspora. In Toronto he will also meet representatives of major Canadian pension funds, as key investors into the UK.

The extensive visit programme reflects the immense value the UK places on its relationships with the US and Canada, and underlines the UK鈥檚 role as a steadfast ally, defence partner, and a great place to do business.

Background

• the Foreign Secretary鈥檚 remarks at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies will begin at 2:15pm UK time (9:15am in Washington DC) on Tuesday 17 January. It will be available to watch on the

• the Foreign Secretary will also give a joint press conference with Secretary Blinken, following their bilateral meeting, at 8:30pm UK time (3:30pm in Washington DC) on Tuesday 17 January. It will be available to watch on the