French President Emmanuel Macron hosts British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Paris for the annual French Armistice Day services, and the two leaders will discuss Ukraine in the face of questions over the United States’ support after the election of Donald Trump.
US President-elect Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and urged him not to escalate the war in Ukraine, The Washington Post reported Sunday.
Trump highlighted the US's "sizeable military presence in Europe" and expressed an interest in further conversations to discuss "the resolution of Ukraine's war soon."
Trump has criticised the level of U.S. support for Ukraine's fight against Russia since the 2022 full-scale invasion and has promised to end the conflict without explaining how.
Britain and France have said it is essential to keep supporting Ukraine against Russia to protect the European continent as a whole.
In Paris Starmer and Macron will discuss "Russia's ongoing barbaric invasion of Ukraine and the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza," Downing Street said.
Europe has been the biggest provider of aid to Ukraine, providing €118 billion since the start of the conflict, while the US has provided € 85 billion, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
Starmer will be the first British leader to attend French Armistice Day services Winston Churchill was hosted by Charles de Gaulle in 1944 during the second world war.
(with AFP, Reuters)
