Rubio, Miliband Discuss Europe's Security Role

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband met in Washington on Wednesday to discuss European security, the war in Ukraine and the Middle East.

According to the US State Department, the two stressed the importance of Europe taking greater responsibility for its own defense. They also discussed Ukraine, which is once again seeking additional air defense interceptors from its allies as Russia steps up ballistic missile attacks.

Miliband said Ukraine's security is inseparable from European and transatlantic security and reaffirmed the UK's commitment to stand with Kyiv for as long as it takes.

The two also reiterated their shared commitment to safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz and to ensuring that Iran never develops or obtains a nuclear weapon.

Separately, Miliband raised the humanitarian situation in Gaza and stressed the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to help ease Britain's cost of living crisis.

(Reuters, mja)