Ahead of the G7 summit: Blinken describes Great Britain as its closest ally

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) with his British counterpart Dominic Raab in London

Photo: POOL / REUTERS

The US and Great Britain have traditionally been considered close allies.

However, before the start of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in London, the partners are exchanging particularly warm words.

"The United States has no closer ally and partner than the United Kingdom," said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a joint press conference with his British counterpart Dominic Raab.

“Our special relationship continues.

It is effective, it is dynamic, and it is dear to the American people. "

This confession should be well received in the British capital: After the change of power in the White House, Great Britain feared the deterioration of the traditional "special relationship" between the two states, since the relationship between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the new US President was already burdened applies.

Biden called Johnson a "clone" of Donald Trump

Johnson had made no friends with the US Democrats when, during the election campaign before the 2016 Brexit referendum, he insinuated in a newspaper article that ex-President Barack Obama had a grudge against the former colonial power Great Britain because of his Kenyan roots.

Biden later referred to Johnson as a "physical and emotional clone" of his predecessor Donald Trump.

After Biden took office, Johnson had emphasized the similarities between the two countries and suggested a joint trade agreement

Foreign Minister Raab emphasized on Monday that they stand "shoulder to shoulder" and share many common values ​​and interests.

The USA and Great Britain also worked closely together when it came to condemning human rights violations and holding states accountable - as was most recently the case with China.

Defense against disinformation campaigns from Russia as a focus

The foreign ministers of the G7 countries are meeting this week for the first time in two years for personal deliberations.

It should be about current conflicts in Afghanistan, Myanmar or Ukraine, but also about future goals and challenges.

According to the British, one of the priorities is to defend against disinformation campaigns from Russia.

To combat this "lies and propaganda or false news" the introduction of a "quick refutation mechanism" should be discussed, announced the British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab.

Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) said before the flight to London that it was “high time” to see each other personally “as a community of values”.

Because in the time of only virtual meetings, the world "unfortunately did not stand still".

Others have tried in the meantime to reshape the global order "according to completely different values."

fek / dpa