London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss strategies for supporting Ukraine, as concerns rise over potential reduced US assistance following the election of Donald Trump.
Starmer’s visit, set to take place shortly after Trump’s victory in the US presidential race, will focus on ways to maintain strong backing for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
The Prime Minister will also make history as the first British leader to attend French Armistice Day services since World War II. Starmer and Macron is expected to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s “barbaric” invasion of Ukraine, as well as the dire situation in Gaza.
Trump, who has been critical of US support for Ukraine since the Russian invasion in 2022, has vowed to end the war, though he has not detailed how. In contrast, both Britain and France have emphasised the need to continue supporting Ukraine to safeguard Europe’s stability.
Since the war began, Europe has provided the largest amount of aid to Ukraine, contributing 118 billion euros ($126 billion), compared to 85 billion euros from the United States, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
As part of broader security concerns, Britain and the European Union are expected to begin discussions next year on a post-Brexit security pact, focusing on defence and energy cooperation to enhance their own security capabilities.
However, some European leaders have expressed doubts about whether Europe could fully replace the military and financial aid provided by the US, particularly resources like F-16 fighter jets and Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). During his visit to France, Starmer will also meet French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, marking their first meeting since Barnier took office in September.
Starmer’s attendance at the French Armistice Day commemorations will be a historic moment, as the last British leader to do so was Winston Churchill, who was hosted by Charles de Gaulle in 1944.
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