Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to discuss European security and the likely impact of a second Trump presidency as he holds talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Macron and Sir Keir marked Armistice Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe on Monday, and plan to talk about Russia’s invasion and the humanitarian situation in Gaza at a later meeting, Downing Street said.
Their meeting comes as questions are being asked about US President-elect Donald Trump’s support for Ukraine after he said he could end the war with Russia “in one day”.
Trade will also be on the agenda, with Trump saying he will impose a blanket 20% tariff on imports into the US.
Some economists have warned about the global impact of such tariffs, with on prediction of a potential £22bn hit to UK exports.
Macron personally invited the prime minister, making Sir Keir the first British leader at the Champs-Élysées ceremony since Churchill in 1944.
Sir Keir also met French Prime Minister Michel Barnier before observing a minute’s silence to mark the 106th anniversary of Armistice Day.
As part of the commemorations, Sir Keir and Macron laid a wreath at the Winston Churchill statue in Paris and travelled in an open roof car to review troops around the Arc de Triomphe.
Among the topics likely to be discussed at their meeting later are Ukraine, the Middle East, migration and the government’s push for a “reset” of relations with the EU.
On Ukraine, the leaders are expected to talk about how to ensure its forces are in the best possible position ahead of the winter. One possible topic of discussion is whether Ukraine could use long-range Storm Shadow missiles deep into Russian territory.
But after months of discussion on this issue the key decision-maker as far as London and Paris are concerned remains President Biden, so no breakthrough is expected today.
Questions have been raised following Trump’s US presidential election victory about what his second term could mean for US support for Ukraine and Nato.
Over the weekend, the Washington Post reported Trump has already spoken to Vladimir Putin – urging the Russian leader not to further escalate the war.
The Kremlin denied a phone call took place, claiming the Washington Post’s article “does not correspond at all to reality”.
