Official press releases from the UK or French governments

Starmer Becomes First UK Leader Since Churchill to Attend Paris Armistice at Arc de Triomphe; Meets Macron to Thwart Trump's Ukraine Plans

Nov 11, 2024, 08:09 AM

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended Armistice Day ceremonies in Paris at the Arc de Triomphe alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, marking the 106th anniversary of the end of World War I and becoming the first British leader to participate since Winston Churchill in 1944. The two leaders placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and joined French and British veterans and the public in paying tribute to the fallen. Following the ceremonies, Starmer and Macron are expected to hold private talks focusing on European solidarity and Ukraine, particularly in light of Donald Trump's recent election victory and his potential efforts to scale back US support for Ukraine. They plan to discuss urging US President Joe Biden to approve Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow missiles deep into Russian territory before Trump's inauguration in an effort to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities and counteract Trump's anticipated policy changes. The meetings aim to strengthen UK-France ties, coordinate defense strategies, and boost weaponry in a new era of European defense cooperation.