Biden news – live: President skips Nato leadership dinner as White House blames ‘big speech’ prep

President Joe Biden was cracking jokes as he met Nato leaders at a key summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Tuesday.

Speaking to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, he joked that Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin “alone” can protect Nato.

“We have the Secretary of Defence with us today.  We can send him alone – he’s enough,” he said, before adding on a more serious note that “we’re all in a war together”.

The president also said that he is “looking forward” to welcoming Sweden into the membership after Turkey announced its support for the move.

But, while the meetings were off to a positive start for Mr Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was less impressed.

In a tweet on Tuesday morning, he slammed Nato leaders for not extending membership to Ukraine, calling the inaction “absurd” ahead of a meeting between him and Mr Biden Wednesday.

Last week, Mr Biden approved sending controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine – but also said he thinks Ukraine is “not ready” for membership.

On route to Vilnius on Monday, Mr Biden stopped off in the UK where he appeared to breach royal protocol by touching King Charles III on the back.

Key Points

• Watch as Joe Biden meets King Charles at Windsor Castle

• Biden welcomes Turkey agreeing to back Sweden for NATO

• White House touts America’s ‘revitalized’ alliances during European trip

• Biden hails ‘rock-solid’ US-UK relationship

Biden not attending Nato leaders dinner

18:26 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden is not attending tonight’s dinner with Nato leaders.

When asked by the press pool why Mr Biden is not attending, a US official said the president has four full days of official business and is preparing for a big speech tomorrow in addition to another day at the summit.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend the dinner.

Nato revamped defence plans against Russian attack after Ukraine invasion

18:05 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden and his Nato counterparts on Tuesday endorsed the biggest shakeup since the Cold War of the way the military alliance would respond to any attack on its territory by Russia.

Inspired in part by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, the highly-secretive defense plans lay out which of the 31 member countries would be called on to respond to an attack anywhere from the Arctic and Baltic Sea regions through the northern Atlantic and south to the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

“Peace in the Euro-Atlantic area has been shattered,” the leaders said in a statement, laying out the twin threats posed by Russia and terrorism. “Together, this family of plans will significantly improve our ability and readiness to deter and defend against any threats, including on short or no notice, and ensure timely reinforcement of all Allies.”

Read on...

The invasion of Ukraine spurred NATO to revamp its defense plans against Russian attack

Biden reaffirms commitment to ally Lithuania

17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden thanks Erdogan for his ‘diplomacy and courage'

16:39 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe thanks President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his “diplomacy and courage” in allowing for Sweden’s accession while the Turkish leader wishes Mr Biden “the best of luck” in his re-election.

Mr Biden laughed: “Well thank you very much. Look forward to meeting you in the next five years.”

Nato says concerned over Iran’s ‘malicious activities' on its territory

16:31 , Martha Mchardy

Nato allies said on Tuesday they were seriously concerned by Iran’s “malicious activities” within allied territory and called Tehran to stop its military support to Russia, including the supply of drones.

“We call upon Iran to cease its military support to Russia, in particular its transfer of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) which have been used to attack critical infrastructure, causing widespread civilian casualties,” the 31-member alliance said in a final declaration at a summit in Lithuania.

“We express our serious concern over Iran’s malicious activities within Allied territory.”

Watch: Biden fist pumps air as Sweden welcomes to Nato

16:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Stoltenberg: Nato invite to Ukraine when 'allies agree and conditions are met'

16:19 , Martha Mchardy

Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said Ukraine will be issued with an invitation to join the alliance “when allies agree and conditions are met”.

He said the process to the country’s membership would move from a two-step to a one-step pathway.

“Ukraine’s future is in Nato”, says declaration, but membership timetable not agreed

16:14 , Martha Mchardy

Nato leaders have agreed at a summit in Vilnius that Ukraine’s future lies within the alliance but stopped short of handing Kyiv the invitation or timetable for accession that the country has been seeking.

At the same time, Nato dropped the requirement for Ukraine to fulfil a so-called Membership Action Plan (MAP), effectively removing a hurdle on Kyiv’s way into the alliance.

“Ukraine’s future is in Nato,” a declaration agreed by the leaders on Tuesday said, adding Kyiv’s Euro-Atlantic integration had moved beyond the need for a Membership Action Plan.

“We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met,” the declaration said.

While leaders did not specify the conditions Ukraine needs to meet, they said the alliance would help Kyiv to make progress on military interoperability as well as on additional democratic and security sector reforms.

Press gathering for Biden-Erdoğan bilateral meeting

16:13 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will soon meet for bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Nato meeting in Vilnius.

The White House sent out the following background information ahead of the meeting:

On Monday, after arriving in Vilnius Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, clearing the way for Sweden to join NATO. Erdoğan also spoke with President Charles Michele of the European Council. The meeting was closed press but Michel said on Twitter that they explored opportunities to reenergize EU-Turkey cooperation and bring it back to the forefront.

President Joe Biden, who welcomed Erdogan’s commitment to Sweden’s Nato membership, is scheduled to meet with the President of Turkey at 6:00 PM at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Conference Center. This will be the fourth meeting between President Biden and President Erdoğan. They met on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Brussels in June 2021, during the summit in Madrid in June 2022, and had a pull-aside during G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.

Before today’s meeting with Biden, Erdoğan held separate meetings with the Prime Minister of the UK Rishi Sunak, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau.

Nato members agree declaration language for Ukraine membership

16:10 , Martha Mchardy

Nato leaders have reached agreement over how to define their future relationship with Ukraine, including its membership bid, four diplomats said on Tuesday.

One of the diplomats said the final wording on the declaration regarding Ukraine’s future membership read that Nato “will be in a position to extend an invitation to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met.

Sullivan: No caveats on F-16s to Türkiye

15:57 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden’s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told a press conference in Vilnius today that there are no caveats on the transfer of F-16s to Türkiye.

“President Biden has been clear & unequivocal for months that he’s supported the transfer of F-16s to Türkiye, that this is in our national interests. It’s in the interests of NATO that Türkiye get that capability. He has placed no caveats or conditions on that in his public and private comments over the past few months. And he intends to move forward with that transfer in consultation with Congress.”

Dutch PM praises UK’s response to war in Ukraine

15:39 , Martha Mchardy

The Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has praised Rishi Sunak and the UK’s leadership in responding to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

In a warm meeting between the two leaders, Mr Sunak said he would “miss” working with the outgoing leader after Mr Rutte announced his plans to leave politics following the collapse of his coalition government.

Addressing his counterpart during a bilateral at the Nato Vilnius summit, the British Prime Minister said: “Mark, we were very sad to hear your news and thank you for your incredible service.”

Mr Rutte responded saying: “I’m not done yet. You are stuck with me at least until the election. Hopefully there will be a new government soon, in the Netherlands it takes a little while.”

Mr Sunak said: “You’ve been a great friend to the UK, so we will miss you. I look forward to continuing our work together particularly as we have stood together, you and I, as have other, to defend and support Ukraine.”

Mr Rutte replied: “And your leadership there, you personally and the UK as a whole, working with you has been incredible.” He said the joint work on the fighter jet coalition to provide Kyiv with war plane capabilities was “fantastic”.

Zelensky lands in Lithuania for Nato summit

15:23 , Martha Mchardy

Volodymyr Zelensky has landed in Vilnius for the Nato summit where alliance members are set to discuss Ukraine’s membership.

The Ukrainian president said on Twitter that he saw “no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to Nato nor to make it a member.”

President Biden cracks joke about Nato

15:14 , Martha Mchardy

President Joe Biden was cracking jokes as he met Nato leaders at a key summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Tuesday.

Speaking to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, he joked that Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin “alone” can protect Nato.

“We have the Secretary of Defence with us today. We can send him alone – he’s enough,” he said, before adding on a more serious note that “we’re all in a war together”.

The president also said that he is “looking forward” to welcoming Sweden into the membership after Turkey announced its support for the move.

Rishi Sunak holds bilateral talks with outgoing Dutch PM

15:10 , Martha Mchardy

Stoltenberg: U.S. plays 'indispensable role in European security'

15:01 , Martha Mchardy

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said the U.S. “plays an indispensable role in European security, including with steadfast support to Ukraine.”

Stoltenberg met with US president Joe Biden at the Nato summit in Lithuania.

Starmer leads Sunak as favoured PM by 10 points

14:13 , Eleanor Noyce

Meanwhile, voters believe Sir Keir Starmer beats Rishi Sunak on all 17 leadership qualities, polling from Redfield & Wilton Strategies has found.

The Labour leader leads the Tory leader by 10 per cent, his joint-largest lead since Sunak entered No 10 on the question of who would be the better prime minister.

Mr Sunak’s personal approval rating is at minus 16 per cent, its lowest in four months. Labour leader Keir Starmer’s net approval rating stands at 9 per cent, up two points from last week.

Stoltenberg welcomes Biden to summit, thanking him for ‘strong leadership’

13:55 , Eleanor Noyce

In welcoming U.S President Biden to the NATO summit, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has thanked him for his “strong leadership.”

Meanwhile, Biden told Stoltenberg that “I think it’s really important at this critical moment…that you continue to lead NATO. You’re trusted.”

“Your leadership really matters”, he added, expressing that he agreed with the “language you proposed relative to the future of Ukraine joining NATO.”

Summit to deliver ‘robust package of support’ to Ukraine - Blinken

13:21 , Eleanor Noyce

Speaking on Good Morning America, U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed that the summit will deliver “a very robust package of support, both political and practical for Ukraine.”

On Ukraine’s pathway to membership, Blinken said that “work remains to be done in terms of reforming its military and strengthening its democracy.” He added that the NATO alliance is very “unified” and that it is “going to demonstrate in very practical ways its enduring support for Ukraine, including the path to membership.”

On Sweden joining NATO, Blinken said, “Our alliance is stronger, it’s bigger, […] it’s more united than it’s ever been. And among other things, that sends a very strong message to Vladimir Putin that he’s not going to outlast Ukraine, he’s not going to outlast NATO. We’re committed to supporting Ukraine in this war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine. We’re committed to making sure our alliance, our defensive alliance, is as strong as possible in case there’s any further Russian aggression.”

Finland’s foreign minister ‘understands’ concerns over U.S. decision on cluster munitions

13:05 , Martha Mchardy

Finland’s foreign minister has said she “understands” the concerns over the decision by the U.S. to send cluster munitions to Ukraine.

Elina Valtonen said: “I’m not saying it’s a mistake. I do see the concerns relating to that.

“The principle behind it is clear: Helping Ukraine in defending its country,” she said in an interview on the summit’s sidelines.

Biden welcomes Turkey agreeing to back Sweden for NATO

13:05 , Graeme Massie

“I welcome the statement issued by Türkiye, Sweden and the NATO Secretary General this evening, including the commitment by President Erdoğan to transmit the Accession Protocol for Sweden to Türkiye’s Grand National Assembly for swift ratification,” said Joe Biden in a statement on Monday.

“I stand ready to work with President Erdoğan and Türkiye on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd NATO Ally. And I thank Secretary General Stoltenberg for his steadfast leadership.”

Nato leaders gather for family photo

13:00 , Martha Mchardy

NATO expansion marks 'historic moment,' Biden says

12:59 , Martha Mchardy

President Biden has hailed Finland and Sweden’s acceptance into Nato as a “historic moment”.

“This historic moment adding Finland and Sweden to NATO is consequential,” Biden said, speaking alongside Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg at the summit in Vilnius.

The Independent’s Kate Devlin explains topic Nato’s Vilnius summit will discuss

12:49 , Martha Mchardy

Rishi Sunak meets Turkish president at Nato summit

12:05 , Martha Mchardy

Mr Sunak’s first bilateral meeting after arriving at the summit was with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

It follows a breakthrough with Ankara, brokered by Mr Stoltenberg, to remove Turkey’s objections to Sweden being admitted to Nato.

More images of Joe Biden’s arrival in Lithuania after UK trip

12:01 , Graeme Massie

President Joe Biden is greeted by Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda as he arrives at Vilnius International Airport in Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday, 10 July, 2023.

Rishi Sunak lands in Vilnius for NATO summit

11:53 , Martha Mchardy

North Korea says U.S. move to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine is 'criminal act'

11:47 , Martha Mchardy

North Korea’s foreign minister on Tuesday condemned U.S. president Joe Biden’s decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine as a “criminal act” and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the move.

Biden hails ‘rock-solid’ US-UK relationship

11:06 , Graeme Massie

Joe Biden has hailed the “rock-solid” relationship between the US and the UK as he met Rishi Sunak in Downing Street.

The US President praised the closeness of ties between the two countries as he and the Prime Minister held talks in the garden of No 10.

Mr Biden, whose short layover in London comes ahead of a crunch Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, said the “relationship is rock solid”.

He said he “couldn’t be meeting with a closer friend and a greater ally”, while Mr Sunak hailed the US and UK as “two of the firmest allies” in Nato.

Biden hails ‘rock-solid’ US-UK relationship at Downing Street talks with Sunak

Rishi Sunak defends UK’s defence spending record

10:50 , Martha Mchardy

Rishi Sunak defended the Government’s investment in defence amid suggestions the UK could lose influence due to the size of its Army.

The prime minister was asked by broadcasters as he arrived in Vilnius about warnings that Britain’s power could be diminished if the armed forces “gets smaller”.

“I think the UK should be incredibly proud of the leading role that we play not just in Nato, but across the world in protecting security and indeed in investing in our armed forces.”

He said the summit was an opportunity to highlight the “enduring unity and importance” of the “very special” military alliance “which the UK has been at the heart of for the entire time of its existence.”

Sunak claims small boats crackdown going ‘much better than expected’ – despite upturn in crossings

10:44 , Martha Mchardy

Rishi Sunak hailed his crackdown on small boats as a “much better result” than expected, despite nearly 700 arrivals on Friday.

The prime minister also said the government “had” to get migrants out of hotels, just hours after it emerged the Home Office is spending more than half a million pounds a day to reserve thousands of empty beds.

Speaking to reporters on his way to the NATO summit in Lithuania, Mr Sunak denied he was wrong to claim his small boats policy was working last month.

The prime minister said he had always predicted that the numbers coming to Britain would rise during the summer.

He said his policy had to be judged on the trends when he took office.

At that stage the numbers were increasing every year, he said.

“The fact that they (numbers) are down for five months of the year, the fact that they are still down, even if it’s less, than what people are expecting is a much better result than anyone was expecting,” he said.

He added: “We need to get people out of hotels, we need to save the taxpayer billions. We need to get the backlog down.

But fundamentally we need to do what it compassionate and fair.”

He said he did not think a system where people were dying in the channel in their bid to get to Britain was one that should “persist”.

But he added: “it’s not going to be easy, it’s not going to happen overnight”.

PM heads to Nato summit to urge allies to hike defence spending

10:33 , Martha Mchardy

Rishi Sunak is attending a Nato summit in Vilnius today where he will urge allies to hike defence spending to “deter the kind of tactics Putin has used in Ukraine”.

The prime minister will make a renewed call for all members of the alliance to commit to spending 2 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, telling allies that hiking defence spending will make Nato’s armed forces “more lethal and more deployable”.

Downing Street said that last year, fewer than half of those in the alliance were meeting the expenditure target, with only nine out of 30 members spending at least 2 per cent.

No 10 said the prime minister is travelling to the summit with a dual message of strengthening Nato and stressing the need to continue to support Ukraine in its war against Russia’s invading troops.

Mr Sunak said: “We have witnessed the most terrible crimes and human tragedies in Ukraine.

“But we have also seen the Nato alliance come together like never before in support of Ukraine and with firm determination that Russia cannot succeed. That is work we need to continue.”

King Charles appears to lose patience with guard

10:02 , Graeme Massie

The US president was speaking to a palace guard when King Charles tried to hurry him up.

But Mr Biden appeared to ignore The King who then rebuked a guard.

The US president also risked breaking protocol by grabbing Charle's arm as they shook hands and later putting his hand on his back during their lap of the quadrangle.

In pictures: Biden meets Lithuanian President Gitanas ahead of Nato summit

09:20 , Martha Mchardy

Watch live as Biden meets with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda before Nato summit

09:17 , Martha Mchardy

Watch live as high-level speakers address a series of panel events at a forum organised by Nato on the margins of its leaders’ summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Earlier on Tuesday (11 July), Joe Biden met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda for an official welcome ceremony at the presidential palace.

His welcome was followed by a bilateral meeting before the summit, which will centre on Ukraine and its bid to join the defence alliance.

Watch live as high-level speakers address Nato forum on margins of summit

King Charles and Joe Biden pictured inside Windsor Castle

09:01 , Graeme Massie

In pictures: Members of the Welsh Guard prepare for Biden and King Charles meeting

07:58 , Graeme Massie

Yellen says US, China want to ‘stabilise’ relationship

07:30 , Namita Singh

US treasury secretary Janet Yellen said she believes the United States and China want to stabilise their economic ties with “candour” and “respect.”

Ms Yellen told American Public Media’s Marketplace in an interview taped shortly before her departure from Beijing on Sunday that she believed her trip, during which both sides discussed “significant disagreements,” had succeeded in putting a floor under the relationship.

“There are challenges, but I believe there is a desire on both sides to stabilise the relationship and to constructively address problems that each of us see in our relationship, to do so frankly, with candour, with respect and to build a productive relationship going forward,” she said.

Ms Yellen told Marketplace that the visit had been constructive and allowed her to make clear that US export controls and other actions were motivated by national security concerns and to diversify supply chains, not to gain unfair economic advantage.

“I spent many hours with my counterpart going through in detail our concerns and addressing them and making clear that they have an open channel of communication,” Ms Yellen said.

Both sides, she said, agreed to “maintain open channels of communication and deepen our discussion of concerns that one another have.”

In pictures: Joe Biden meets with King Charles at Windsor Castle

07:09 , Graeme Massie

Nato secretary general reiterates commitment to provide Ukraine membership in the group

06:30 , Namita Singh

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine will eventually become a member of Nato, a commitment made in 2008 under president George W Bush, but the Nato chief did not outline more specifics.

He wrote in Foreign Affairs on Monday that the alliance would “upgrade our political ties” by forming a Nato-Ukraine Council, which would be “a platform for decisions and crisis consultation”.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the summit on Wednesday. He plans to meet with US president Joe Biden while there, according to two administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss plans that have not been announced.

Watch: King Charles welcomes Joe Biden at Windsor Castle

06:06 , Graeme Massie

Nato to face question of allowing Ukraine

05:30 , Namita Singh

Nato leaders will have big questions to address at their summit, particularly on Ukraine’s desire to join Nato. The Baltic states – including Lithuania, which is hosting the event – have pushed for a strong show of support and a clear pathway toward membership for Ukraine.

The US and Germany have resisted that, and Joe Biden said last week that Ukraine wasn’t ready to join. Members of Nato, he told CNN, need to “meet all the qualifications, from democratisation to a whole range of other issues,” a nod toward longstanding concerns about governance and corruption in Kyiv.

In addition, some fear that bringing Ukraine into Nato would serve more as a provocation to Russia than as a deterrence against aggression.

Downing Street statement in full following US president visit

05:05 , Graeme Massie

Following the meeting between Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister welcomed President of the United States, Joe Biden, to Downing Street this morning.

“The leaders discussed progress made since they announced the Atlantic Declaration, a first-of-its kind framework for the economic partnership between the UK and the US, last month.

“Since the Prime Minister and President Biden’s last meeting in the White House, we have begun work on a UK-US Critical Minerals Agreement and the Joint Action Group on Energy Security has met to begin work on strengthening our clean energy supply chains.

“The Prime Minister and President Biden agreed to hold the first high level meeting between Number 10 and White House representatives in October to drive progress under the Atlantic Declaration.

“The Prime Minister also updated on the UK’s AI Summit which will be held this autumn and welcomed the President’s strong support for the initiative.

“Looking ahead to this week’s NATO Summit, the Prime Minister and President Biden agreed on the need to strengthen our alliance and maintain our support for Ukraine. They discussed the progress of the counter-offensive and emphasised the importance of the country’s international partners committing to its long-term defence, providing the support Ukraine needs to win this war and secure a just and lasting peace.

“On broader NATO issues, they agreed on the need to ensure that Sweden has a swift path to full NATO accession.

“The Prime Minister and President Biden also discussed the broader geopolitical context, including in the Indo-Pacific and with regard to Iran.

“The leaders agreed on the importance of their friendship and of continuing the close dialogue they have had in the few months.”

Nato summit boosted by deal to advance Sweden’s bid to join alliance

04:30 , Namita Singh

Nato’s summit will begin on Tuesday with fresh momentum after Turkey withdrew its objections to Sweden joining the alliance, a step toward the unity that Western leaders have been eager to demonstrate in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The decision by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is a significant move toward Sweden’s membership and it will alleviate tension in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital.

“This is a historic day,” Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said late on Monday as he announced the agreement following days of intensive meetings.

As part of the deal, Mr Erdogan said he would ask Turkey’s parliament to approve Sweden joining Nato. Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban is expected to take a similar step.

The outcome is a victory for US president Joe Biden as well, who has touted Nato’s expansion as an example of how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has backfired on Moscow. Finland has already become the 31st member of the alliance, and Sweden is on deck to become the 32nd.

Biden Sunak meeting in pictures

04:04 , Graeme Massie

Watch: Joe Biden says UK-US relationship is ‘rock solid’ at meeting with Rishi Sunak

03:02 , Graeme Massie

Biden will meet Zelensky at Nato summit in Lithuania as war with Russia rages on

02:05 , Graeme Massie

Meeting comes as Biden expressed doubts about possible Ukraine membership in NATO.

Biden will meet Zelensky at Nato summit in Lithuania as war with Russia rages on

More images of Biden’s meeting with King Charles

01:05 , Graeme Massie

'Whistleblower’ who accused Bidens of corruption is charged with arms trafficking and violating Iran sanctions

Tuesday 11 July 2023 00:31 , Graeme Massie

Gal Luft, who is a citizen of both the United States and Israel, is accused of paying a former adviser to Donald Trump on behalf of principals in China in 2016.

‘Whistleblower’ who accused Bidens of corruption charged with arms trafficking

Trump suggests Biden ‘on cocaine’ when Mar-a-Lago raided

Tuesday 11 July 2023 00:05 , Graeme Massie

The one-term president took to Truth Social to rant about his successor and the Justice Department’s Mar-a-Lago raid which has ended with him being charged over the handling of classified documents.

“Was Crooked Joe Biden on Cocaine when he instructed the FBI/DOJ to illegally invade my home, Mar-a-Lago, in complete and total violation of my 4th Amendment Rights?” Mr Trump seethed.

“Was he on Cocaine, or various other substances, when he, for the first time in U.S. history, had his political opponent, who is leading him in the Polls by a lot, indicted and arrested (twice, if you include the DOJ run Manhattan D.A.’s Office)? WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE!!!”

Biden to meet with Zelensky at NATO summit

Monday 10 July 2023 23:27 , Graeme Massie

Joe Biden will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO summit on Wednesday, an official confirmed to CNN.

Russia’s war in Ukraine will obviously be among the most important items on the agenda for NATO leaders as they meet in Lithuania this week.

Politico was the first to report the meeting.

Watch as Joe Biden meets King Charles at Windsor Castle

Monday 10 July 2023 22:56 , Graeme Massie

This is the moment when Joe Biden met with King Charles on Monday, July 10.

The US president arrived in London on Sunday evening and hailed the “rock-solid” relationship between America and the UK as he met Rishi Sunak in Downing Street.

He praised the closeness of ties between the two countries as he and the prime minister held talks in the garden of No 10.

Mr Biden then sat down for tea with the King to discuss the climate crisis following his meeting with Mr Sunak.

Though it is not a full-blown state visit, the president was treated to a display of pageantry at Windsor Castle.

Watch as Joe Biden meets King Charles at Windsor Castle

People defend Joe Biden after reporter claims he wore sneakers without socks

Monday 10 July 2023 22:05 , Graeme Massie

The US president was seen wearing sneakers seemingly without socks as he boarded Air Force One.

On Sunday, the president boarded Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base as he headed to London. For the trip, Biden was dressed in blue slacks, a pale blue button-down shirt, and a blue blazer. He completed the look with a pair of navy and grey Skechers slip-in shoes.

However, according to New York Times reporter Doug Mills, one thing the president was missing was his socks. Mills sparked a debate about the apparent fashion faux pas when he tweeted on Sunday that the 80 year old had allegedly gone sans socks for the flight.

“@Potus boards Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base as he departs for London, England. Biden was not [wearing] socks with his sneakers,” Mills tweeted, along with a photo of Biden’s full outfit, as well as a close-up shot of the president’s sneakers and bare ankle.

People defend Joe Biden after reporter claims he wore sneakers without socks

Biden calls King Charles meeting an ‘honor'

Monday 10 July 2023 21:28 , Graeme Massie

“It was an honor meeting with His Majesty this morning for a wide-ranging discussion on the global challenges facing our nations,” the US president tweeted during his trip to the UK.

Hunt and Bailey speaking from Mansion House live

Monday 10 July 2023 20:56 , Graeme Massie

Jeremy Hunt and Andrew Bailey speaking from Mansion House live on YouTube.

Live: Jeremy Hunt and Andrew Bailey deliver keynote speeches on economy at Mansion House dinner

White House touts America’s ‘revitalized’ alliances during European trip

Monday 10 July 2023 20:31 , Graeme Massie

“POTUS departed for his next major trip overseas at a time when we have revitalized America’s alliances to meet the greatest challenges of our time and regained our standing as a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress and security,” the White House tweeted on Monday.

Joe Biden arrives in Lithuania for NATO summit

Monday 10 July 2023 18:00 , Matt Drake

The US president arrived in Vilnius ahead of tomorrow's NATO meeting.

Air Force One touched down in the Lithuanian capital this evening after a very brief visit to the UK where he met Rishi Sunak and King Charles.

Mr Biden was greeted by Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda when he landed.

The president is expected to be challenged on his decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine.

Joe Biden visit: What happened?

Monday 10 July 2023 17:15 , Matt Drake

• The president arrived in the UK on Sunday evening

• He spent only 42 minutes meeting with the Prime Minister

• Was greeted at Windsor Castle despite not being official state visit

• Mr Biden boarded his Marine One helicopter and flew from Windsor Castle on his way to the NATO summit

• Joe Biden is expected to be challenged over agreeing to send cluster munitions to Ukraine

Joe Biden heads for NATO summit

Monday 10 July 2023 16:14 , Matt Drake

The Nato summit is also likely to see wrangling between allies over Ukraine’s path to membership of the alliance.

Though all attendees at the summit in Vilnius on Tuesday agree that Ukraine cannot join during the war, a move which would pull the wider West into direct conflict with Russia, the US is seen as most hesitant over its membership.

Downing Street played down reports that the UK and US were split over the extent of commitments to offer Ukraine on Nato membership.

Mr Biden has described Kyiv’s bid as “premature”, telling CNN: “I don’t think it’s ready for membership in Nato.”

Britain, on the other hand, has indicated support for a fast-track approach for Ukraine.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said it would be a topic for discussion at the Nato gathering.

Joe Biden leaves Windsor Castle

Monday 10 July 2023 15:27 , Matt Drake

Joe Biden was seen boarding his Marine One helicopter following his meeting with King Charles at Windsor Castle.

The US president arrived at Stansted Airport last night ahead of a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday.

Joe Biden’s and Rishi Sunak meeting: What did the two leaders discuss?

Monday 10 July 2023 14:35 , Matt Drake

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom in London.

The leaders reviewed preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius.

They reaffirmed their steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression.

The leaders discussed the Atlantic Declaration on economic partnership they launched in June, including next steps to drive toward key outcomes in the months ahead.

They also reviewed developments in Northern Ireland and efforts to ensure continued progress there.

Joe Biden to ‘compare notes’ on Ukraine with Rishi Sunak

Monday 10 July 2023 13:53 , Matt Drake

The US president is set to discuss Ukraine with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak.

According to the White House, the two men will “compare notes” on the Ukrainian counter-offensive as it makes slow but steady progress in driving out the Russian forces.

US President Joe Biden has said that Ukraine is “not ready” to become a member of NATO.

Speaking after arriving in London ahead of a two-day NATO summit in Vilnius, Biden said that the alliance needs to “lay out a Russian path” for Ukraine to follow.

But he added that it would take some time before Kyiv met “all the qualifications, from democratisation to a whole range of other issues.”

Biden and Sunak discussed progress on new UK-US economic agreement

Monday 10 July 2023 12:54 , Archie Mitchell

Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak discussed progress on the new UK-US economic agreement, the Atlantic Declaration.

Downing Street said work has begun since the pair’s last meeting on a so-called critical minerals agreement, which is aimed at making the countries world leaders in green technology.

A joint action group on energy security has also been formed to “strengthen our clean energy supply chains”, a spokesperson said.

Downing Street added: “The Prime Minister also updated on the UK’s AI Summit which will be held this autumn and welcomed the President’s strong support for the initiative.”

And the pair agreed to hold a “high level” meeting between UK and US officials to make further progress on the Atlantic Declaration.

Watch live as Joe Biden meets King Charles at Windsor Castle

Monday 10 July 2023 12:36 , Martha Mchardy

Live: Joe Biden meets King Charles at Windsor Castle

Biden arrives at Windsor Castle to meet King Charles

Monday 10 July 2023 12:35 , Martha Mchardy

U.S. president Joe Biden has arrived at Windsor Castle to meet King Charles, with climate change expected to be the focus of their talks.

Mr Biden will receive a royal salute from the Welsh Guards assembled in the castle’s courtyard and the American national anthem will be played.

Biden leaves Downing Street

Monday 10 July 2023 11:23 , Martha Mchardy

US president Joe Biden has now left Downing Street after a 40 minute meeting with prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Mr Biden is due to meet King Charles at Windsor Castle this afternoon.

Watch: Rishi Sunak welcomes Joe Biden to Downing Street

Monday 10 July 2023 11:05 , Martha Mchardy

Rishi Sunak ‘close friend and great ally’, says Biden

Monday 10 July 2023 11:04 , Martha Mchardy

US president Joe Biden told Rishi Sunak he “couldn’t be meeting with a close friend and greater ally”.

The issue of support for Ukraine’s ambitions for Nato membership and the US decision to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions are signs that Westminster and Washington are not entirely on the same page, but Mr Biden insisted there was no problem in the transatlantic relationship.

He added: “Our relationship is rock solid.”

It is ‘great for us to carry on our conversation’, says Sunak as he meets with US president

Monday 10 July 2023 11:02 , Martha Mchardy

Prime minister Rishi Sunak said it was “great for us to carry on our conversation” as he met with US president Joe Biden for the fifth time in as many months

Mr Sunak said the pair would consider “how do we strengthen our co-operation, joint economic security to the benefit of our citizens”.

Both leaders will also attend this week’s Nato summit in Lithuania and Mr Sunak said: “We stand as two of the firmest allies in that alliance and I know we’ll want to do everything we can to strengthen Euro-Atlantic security.”

UK-US relationship ‘rock solid’, says Biden

Monday 10 July 2023 10:51 , Martha Mchardy

The UK-US relationship is “rock solid”, Joe Biden said at his Downing Street meeting with Rishi Sunak.US president Joe Biden was warmly greeted by prime minister Rishi Sunak on his arrival in Downing Street.

Mr Biden arrived by car at 10.35am and waved at the press as he walked up the pavement to greet a waiting Sunak, before the pair smiled and shook hands outside No 10.

The political leaders are expected to discuss the US decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine during the meeting, as well as Ukraine’s bid to join Nato.

In pictures: Joe Biden arrives at Downing Street

Monday 10 July 2023 10:46 , Martha Mchardy

Joe Biden’s motorcade arrives at Downing Street

Monday 10 July 2023 10:40 , Martha Mchardy

US president Joe Biden‘s motorcade has arrived at Downing Street as he looks to deepen his relationships with the King and Rishi Sunak during separate meetings on Monday in which Ukraine and climate change are expected to dominate the agenda.

Muddling up wars, dozing off mid-event and a series of tumbles: Biden’s best gaffes

Monday 10 July 2023 10:30 , Martha Mchardy

President Joe Biden is kicking off his first full day of his trip abroad this week with a visit to the UK where he will meet with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles III.

The president landed in London on Sunday night ahead of Monday’s meeting with Mr Sunak, where the two leaders will discuss a range of topics including the war in Ukraine and will seek to bolster the US-UK “special relationship”.

After that, he is heading to Windsor to meet the King – after infamously snubbing his coronation back in May.

From there, the president will travel to Vilnius, Lithuania, for a meeting of NATO leaders.

Mr Biden has a well-documented history of embarrassing gaffes – something he admits, having once referred to himself as a “gaffe machine”.

As all eyes turn to his actions during his visit to the UK, click below to read about some of his most notable gaffes to date.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Biden’s biggest gaffes: Muddling up wars, dozing off mid-event and several tumbles

Larry the cat awaits Joe Biden

Monday 10 July 2023 10:00 , Martha Mchardy

Joe Biden’s talks with King to focus on ‘clean energy'

Monday 10 July 2023 09:39 , Martha Mchardy

US president Joe Biden’s talks with King Charles today will focus on how to encourage private companies to engage in more clean energy efforts, specifically in developing economies.

“The president has huge respect for the king’s commitment on the climate issue in particular, that he has been a clarion voice on this issue and more than that, has been an actor, someone who’s mobilized action and effort,” Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, told reporters on Air Force One as Biden travelled to London.

“So the president comes at this with enormous goodwill.”

When did Joe Biden last speak with King Charles?

Monday 10 July 2023 09:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Joe Biden last had formal talks with King Charles, then prince, at the COP26 UN climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021.

The US president also attended the state funeral of Charles’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September as well as a reception for heads of state at Buckingham Palace the night before the service.

The climate portion of Biden and the King’s visit on Monday also underscores the high priority that the environment has been for the 74-year-old Charles, who has long fought to protect wildlife and battle climate change.

Formally called the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum, Biden and Charles will be briefed by officials from the financial and philanthropic sectors on their discussions about expanding clean energy initiatives in developing nations.

Joe Biden to meet with the King at Windsor Castle

Monday 10 July 2023 09:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

King Charles III will meet with US President Joe Biden for tea and will be briefed on climate discussions on Monday (10 July).

Mr Biden arrived in London on Sunday night and will meet with the Prime Minister in the morning before he heads to Windsor Castle.

There Mr Biden will receive a royal salute, hear the US national anthem performed by the Welsh Guards and will then have a cup of tea with Charles.

They are to then meet with financial and philanthropic leaders who will have attended the climate finance mobilisation forum.

Charles and Mr Biden will then be briefed on the outcomes of the meeting, mainly around the support they can offer poorer countries.

Joe Biden to meet with the King at Windsor Castle