Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to discuss European security issues and the potential impacts of a second Trump presidency.
According to Downing Street, the two leaders will meet before a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Their discussions are expected to cover Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
This meeting comes amid growing questions about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine, following his claims that he could resolve the conflict with Russia “in one day.”
Trade will also be a focus of the talks, with Trump’s recent announcement of a proposed 20% tariff on all imports to the U.S. Some economists have raised concerns about the worldwide effects of such a measure, with projections suggesting it could cost the UK as much as £22 billion in lost exports.
Sir Keir, who is thought to be the first British leader to attend the Champs-Elysees ceremony since Winston Churchill in 1944, will also meet with French Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Topics for this meeting will likely include the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East, migration, and the UK’s desire to “reset” its relationship with the EU.
The leaders are expected to discuss how best to position Ukraine’s forces for the upcoming winter, with the possibility of providing long-range Storm Shadow missiles for operations within Russian territory. However, significant progress on this issue is unlikely without input from President Biden, whom the UK and France see as the primary decision-maker.
In light of Trump’s recent election win, there is growing concern about what his potential second term might mean for U.S. support of Ukraine and NATO.
Over the weekend, The Washington Post reported that Trump had already reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin, allegedly urging him to avoid further escalation in the Ukraine conflict.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey noted that, if the reports are accurate, Trump is right to advise Putin against intensifying the conflict. Speaking with BBC Breakfast, Healey expressed confidence in continued U.S. support for Ukraine, highlighting the bipartisan backing within the country.
“Our aid to Ukraine has increased, we’re accelerating delivery, and we’re investing more in supporting Ukraine than ever before,” he added.
Both the UK and France maintain that supporting Ukraine is crucial for securing the European continent against Russian aggression.
Trump has previously urged NATO members to increase defense spending, saying that failure to do so would leave them vulnerable to threats from countries like Russia.
During his campaign, Trump refrained from detailing his plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war in “one day,” though his approach may involve pressuring both sides to agree to a settlement.
Bryan Lanza, a former Trump campaign official, told the BBC that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may need to adopt a more pragmatic stance on peace, potentially accepting Russia’s annexation of Crimea. However, a spokesperson for Trump later clarified that Lanza’s comments do not represent Trump’s official position.
The Armistice Day meeting between Starmer and Macron coincides with escalating conflict in the region.
