Macron and Starmer Reaffirm ‘Unwavering’ Ukraine Support

French President Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer have declared that France and the UK will back Ukraine for the necessary duration “to thwart Russia’s war of aggression.” On Monday, the prime minister, as President Macron’s guest, observed Armistice Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris. He also held discussions with his French counterpart concerning Russia’s invasion and efforts to curb illegal migration in the Channel. A statement from the Elysee Palace indicated that the two leaders had reiterated their commitment to “support Ukraine unwaveringly.” Their meeting takes place amidst questions regarding US President-elect Donald Trump’s backing for Ukraine, following his assertion that he could conclude the conflict “in one day.” President Macron personally invited Sir Keir Starmer to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale between France and the UK, an agreement that fostered enhanced diplomatic cooperation between the two nations. The statement further specified that the two leaders had reaffirmed their pledge to “support Ukraine unwaveringly and for as long as necessary to thwart Russia’s war of aggression.” An additional announcement from Downing Street reported that the pair deliberated on strategies to place Ukraine in “the strongest possible position going into the winter.” No specific details were provided regarding whether the two leaders would endorse Ukraine’s use of long-range Storm Shadow missiles deep into Russian territory. For both London and Paris, President Biden remains the primary decision-maker, and he has not yet authorized Ukraine to deploy long-range missiles against targets within Russia, citing concerns about potential escalation. When questioned about whether the UK was engaging with President Biden regarding the possible deployment of these missiles, Downing Street responded that “no war was ever won by a single weapon.” A spokesperson for Number 10 stated: “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.” Following Trump’s presidential election success, inquiries have emerged concerning the implications of his second term for US backing of Ukraine and Nato. The Washington Post reported over the weekend that Trump had already conversed with Vladimir Putin, reportedly advising the Russian leader against further escalating the conflict. The Kremlin, however, refuted that a phone call occurred, asserting that the Washington Post’s report “does not correspond at all to reality.” President Macron expressed gratitude to Sir Keir for being the initial British leader to attend the Champs-Élysées ceremony since Winston Churchill in 1944. In the course of the Armistice Day commemorations, Sir Keir also encountered French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, prior to participating in a minute of silence. Sir Keir and President Macron placed a wreath at the Churchill statue in Paris and proceeded in an open-top vehicle to inspect troops near the Arc de Triomphe. A statement indicated that during their discussions, Sir Keir and President Macron additionally pledged “cooperation on migration in the Channel, particularly in the face of human trafficking networks.” The two leaders addressed European security and “the prospects for the relationship” between the EU and the UK, in addition to conversations about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The statement concluded: “Finally, the two leaders reiterated their desire to deepen bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of security and defence.” Previously, UK Defence Secretary John Healey commented that if the reports of the phone call were accurate, “then President Trump is exactly right to warn Putin against escalation in Ukraine.” In an interview with BBC Breakfast, he expressed his anticipation that the United States would “remain steadfast” in its assistance to Ukraine, attributing this to the robust “bipartisan support” within the nation. He further remarked: “We have stepped up our support of Ukraine, we’re speeded up the delivery of aid, and we’re spending more now on Ukraine and supporting Ukraine than we ever have done before.” Both the UK and France have asserted that providing assistance to Ukraine against Russia is crucial for safeguarding the entire European continent. Trump has previously instructed Nato members to elevate their defence expenditures, stating he would permit aggressors like Russia to do “whatever the hell it wants” to non-compliant nations. Bryan Lanza, who was involved in Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, informed the BBC that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky needed to adopt a “realistic vision for peace” that would not include reversing Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Nevertheless, a spokesperson for Donald Trump disassociated him from these comments, clarifying that Mr Lanza “does not speak for him.” The Armistice Day discussions between Sir Keir Starmer and President Macron occurred amid an escalation of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia. Over the weekend, both parties conducted their most extensive drone assaults against each other since the conflict began, with Russia’s defence ministry reporting the interception of 84 Ukrainian drones across six regions, some nearing Moscow. On Sunday, Treasury Minister Darren Jones informed BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the government aimed to raise defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of the national income. However, he refrained from specifying a timeline for achieving this target or confirming if it would be accomplished prior to the next election, which is scheduled to take place no later than 2029.