Boris Johnson likely to meet Joe Biden on sidelines of UNGA

London: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to meet with US President Joe Biden at the end of this month, during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). A senior diplomatic source told the newspaper that the meeting was expected to take place at the White House but this had not been “100 percent confirmed,” UK media reported. The 76th UN General Assembly (UNGA) is opening on 14 September. The high-level week will start on 21 September and will last until the 27th. Johnson is expected to hold bilateral talks with Biden during his four-day trip to the US for the UNGA, The Times said, adding that the prime minister will try to mend relations with Washington. Downing Street had asked Biden’s administration to have the meeting coincide with the UNGA trip, the newspaper specified. Sources told The Times that there is “a suspicion in Washington that Johnson doesn’t want to be too tough on Beijing” and Biden will use the opportunity during talks with Johnson to get the prime minister to support the US, which sees “China as the great strategic challenge of the 21st century.” One senior diplomatic source told the newspaper that if London wants to have an influence on issues like Russia, China and climate change, it will not be able to do so alone.