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Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have reiterated their support for Ukraine after a meeting ahead of Armistice Day commemorations in Paris.
A statement from the Elysee Palace said the two leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to “support Ukraine unwaveringly”, while No10 said they had discussed how to put the war-torn country “in the strongest possible position”.
The prime minister had been personally invited by the French president, in what signifies a major step in his plans to build bridges with one of the EU’s strongest powers ahead of a Brexit reset.
In a private meeting, the two leaders are understood to have also discussed the conflict in the Middle East amid other foreign policy issues.
Starmer is now due to arrive at Cop29 in Azerbaijan later this afternoon, to join world leaders at the latest UN climate talks after a year of devastating weather extremes and record heatwaves.
The meetings come less than a week after it was confirmed that Donald Trump will be returning to the White House in January having been re-elected US president.
The defence secretary John Healey insisted he expected the US to stand by Ukraine for “as long as it takes to prevail over (Vladimir) Putin’s invasion”, and the world will have to “wait and see” what he proposes after assuming power.
Macron’s office says leaders discussed ‘unwavering’ support for Ukraine
Macron’s office said the French president and Sir Keir Starmer had discussed the Ukraine situation on the sidelines of Monday’s ceremony to mark the anniversary of Armistice Day, which ended World War One in 1918.
“Concerning the situation in Ukraine, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to coordinate closely, stressing their determination to support Ukraine unwaveringly and for as long as necessary to thwart Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine,” they said in a statement.
Assisted dying unites Kemi Badenoch and Diane Abbott in fears over safeguards
Opposition to a bill attempting to legalise assisted dying appears to be growing despite promises that it will include the toughest safeguards anywhere in the world by its proposer Labour MP Kim Leadbeater.
Health secretary Wes Streeting has already indicated he will oppose the legislation, which is a free conscience vote in parliament, and now he could be joined by an improbable alliance of Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Labour leftwing veteran Diane Abbott.
This comes as an open letter from thousands of doctors and nurses opposing the Bill has been published today warning that safeguards cannot be strong enough.
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John Healey defiant over US support for Ukraine after Trump re-election
He said that the former president, who will return to the White House in January after a sweeping election win, “recognises that countries get security through strength, just as alliances like Nato do”. And Mr Healey stressed that America’s determination to support Ukraine in its campaign against Russia is “just as strong” as before voters in the US went to the polls.
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Downing Street respond to potential use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine
Downing Street said “no war was ever won by a single weapon” when asked whether the UK was speaking to Joe Biden about the potential use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine within Russia before Donald Trump enters the White House.
Asked whether Britain was in talks with the outgoing US President, following suggestions that Mr Biden could be asked about giving permission for the weapons to be used, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “Our position on Storm Shadow hasn’t changed.
“We’ve always aid that where we discuss our support for Ukraine, we do so in terms of broader strategy to ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position going forwards, particularly in the winter, and we’ve also been clear that no war was ever won by a single weapon.”
As America falters, Cop29 is post-Brexit Britain’s chance to lead on climate
It can be argued that the auguries for this year’s international climate change conference already looked dark, even before Donald Trump’s election victory last week. That the returning US president is an unapologetic climate sceptic, however, will hardly lighten the mood when Cop29 opens in Baku on Monday.
Such back and forth is no good for any political process. But it makes for particular difficulties when the country concerned is the richest in the world, and the hoped-for agreement is about not just good intentions but money – specifically, the transfer of as much as $1 trillion from the rich world to help underwrite climate efforts in poorer countries.
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No plans for Starmer to meet Taliban at Cop29, says No10
Sir Keir Starmer has no plans to meet the Taliban at Cop29, Downing Street has said.
Asked what the Prime Minister thought of the militant group attending the talks, and whether he had any plans to come face to face with delegates, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “No plans to meet with them.
“I think attendance is a matter for the organisers, but more broadly the summit I think is bringing together 96 different delegations from across the world and the objective is obviously to strengthen global climate action and engagement on that issue.
“It is obviously vital that we approach the talks and the event with that common purpose (at the) forefront of our mind.”
Starmer and Macron discussed Ukraine, Gaza conflict and small boat crossings
Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron discussed how to put Ukraine in “the strongest possible position going into the winter” as the two leaders met ahead of Armistice Day commemorations in Paris, Number 10 said.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “Prime Minister Keir Starmer met France’s President Emmanuel Macron this morning ahead of the Armistice Day commemorations in Paris.
“The Prime Minister thanked the President for the personal invitation, noting he was the first UK leader to attend in 80 years.
“The leaders started by discussing the situation in Ukraine, including how best to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into the winter.
“Turning to the Middle East, both underscored their deep concern at the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. They also reiterated the need for stability in the West Bank.
“Reflecting on the situation in the Channel, the Prime Minister set out his mission to disrupt and deter smuggling gangs across Europe, and the leaders strongly agreed on the importance of bearing down on illegal migration at every stage of a migrant’s journey.
“The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.”
Downing Street say ‘no change’ in supplying weapons to Ukraine
Downing Street insisted there was “no change” to the UK’s position on supplying weapons to Ukraine amid speculation that Britain and France are looking to ramp up arms provision before Donald Trump takes office.
Asked whether the UK was looking to provide “as many arms as it can” before Mr Trump’s presidency, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “There’s no change in that regard… We’ll be maintaining our position of continually stepping up.
“That means ensuring Ukraine gets what it needs and gets it more quickly.”
No10 decline to say if Starmer believes Ukraine to be safe under Trump
Downing Street declined to say whether Sir Keir Starmer believes Ukraine will be safe after Donald Trump’s election win.
Asked whether the Prime Minister shared his Defence Secretary’s confidence that Mr Trump would not abandon Kyiv, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “We’re not going to speculate on positions before the administration is in place. We always welcome sustained bipartisan support in the US or Ukraine, and that’s been key to our international efforts to support.
“We expect the US to remain alongside allies like the UK in standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes to prevail over (Vladimir) Putin’s invasion.”
What are Trump’s tariff plans and what could they mean for the UK?
Donald Trump’s election has sparked fears of a global trade war after his campaign pledge to impose levies of 10 to 20 per cent on all goods imported from US trading partners, and up to 60 per cent and 100 per cent for China and Mexico.
How could tariffs impact the UK?
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