French President Emmanuel Macron met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the United Kingdom on Thursday evening, with the situation in Ukraine at the heart of the discussions.
Labor received Emmanuel Macron at Checkers, the country residence of British Prime Ministers, located in Buckinghamshire, northwest of London.
The two leaders “stressed the need for unity in these uncertain times” internationally, according to a Downing Street spokesperson.
About Ukraine, they “reaffirmed their desire to coordinate closely in order to support” this country “as long as necessary”indicates a press release from the Elysée.
They also highlighted “the importance of continuing to provide the equipment necessary for the defense of Ukrainian territory, and of guaranteeing sustainable financial support to Ukraine beyond 2025”.
Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer insisted on “the importance of offering security guarantees to Ukraine”.
A few days before Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Europeans are wondering about the conditions of future peace negotiations between Moscow and kyiv, while the president-elect has promised to put a rapid end to the war.
Concerning the situation in the Near and Middle East, the leaders highlighted “the importance of stability and security in the region, as well as the need to avoid regional escalation”selon Downing Street.
The two leaders also discussed strengthening the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The British Prime Minister wants “reset” his country’s relations with the EU, after the heartbreak of Brexit.
In terms of bilateral relations, they discussed the Franco-British summit which is due to take place in 2025 in the United Kingdom. It will be, according to the Elysée, the opportunity “to deepen cooperation in defense, energy transition, artificial intelligence, migration and cultural exchanges”.
When Emmanuel Macron arrived, Keir Starmer said that Thursday’s meeting was “proof of ability” of the two countries “to work well together”.
“We have a lot of convergence”said the French president for his part.
According to Downing Street, the leaders also discussed illegal immigration, while Paris and London are struggling to stem the phenomenon of « small boats »clandestine crossings of the Channel on makeshift canoes from the north of France.
Since Labor’s arrival at Downing Street in July, the French president and the British Prime Minister have seen each other on several occasions, notably at the summit of the European Political Community (EPC) organized in the United Kingdom last summer.
Keir Starmer also took part in the commemorations of the 1918 armistice in Paris on November 11.
