Macron, Starmer pledge ‘unwavering’ support for Ukraine

French President, Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer have said France and the UK will support Ukraine as long as necessary “to thwart Russia’s war of aggression”.

Starmer marked Armistice Day at the tomb of the unknown Soldier in Paris as a guest of Macron on Monday and held a meeting with his French counterpart to talk about Russia’s invasion and stopping illegal migration in the Channel.

A statement from the Elysee Palace said the two leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to “support Ukraine unwaveringly”.

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 “in one day”.

Macron personally invited the prime minister to mark the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale between France and the UK, which paved the way for greater diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.

The statement said the two leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to “support Ukraine unwaveringly and for as long as necessary to thwart Russia’s war of aggression”.

A further statement from Downing Street said the pair discussed how to put Ukraine in “the strongest possible position going into the winter”.

The two leaders did not specify whether they would permit Ukraine to launch long-range Storm Shadow missiles well into Russian territory.

At the Champs-Élysées ceremony, Macron congratulated Keir for becoming the first British leader to attend since Winston Churchill in 1944.

Before a minute’s silence was observed, Keir also had a meeting with French Prime Minister Michel Barnier at the Armistice Day celebrations.

While reviewing troops at the Arc de Triomphe, Keir and Macron rode in an open-roof car and laid a wreath at the statue of Churchill in Paris.

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