Starmer and Macron vow to put Ukraine in ‘strongest position’ ahead of Trump’s presidency

Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron discussed how to put Ukraine in the “strongest possible position going into the winter” amid uncertainty over long-term US support for Kyiv following the election of Donald Trump.

The Prime Minister and the French president discussed the war between Russia and Ukraine when they met at the Elysee Palace in Paris this morning before taking part in Armistice Day commemorations at the Arc de Triomphe.

The meeting took place against a backdrop of speculation about how Mr Trump could change US support for Ukraine when he returns to the White House next year.

The president-elect talked about ending the war on “day one” throughout his presidential campaign, leading to fears he could attempt to force Kyiv to accept land lost to Russia.

Downing Street said Ukraine was top of the agenda for Sir Keir and Mr Macron. A No 10 spokesperson said: “The leaders started by discussing the situation in Ukraine, including how best to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into the winter.”

The two leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East and the migrant Channel crossings crisis.

You can join the conversation in the comments section. 

03:40 PM GMT

That is all for today...

Thank you for joining me for today’s live blog.

03:12 PM GMT

Barnier hails ‘deep friendship’ between UK and France after meeting Starmer in Paris

03:03 PM GMT

Starmer heads to Cop29 in Baku as other leaders stay away

Sir Keir Starmer is now on his way to Baku in Azerbaijan to attend the Cop29 climate change summit.

The Prime Minister will be one of the most prominent world leaders attending the event, with numerous other big names opting to give it a miss.

The leaders of France, China and the US are all staying away.

One group who will be there is the Taliban who have been invited to attend as observers.

The UN conference is due to last for two weeks but Sir Keir will only be there tomorrow, with other ministers and officials representing the UK for the rest of the event.

You can read The Telegraph’s curtain-raising piece here. 

02:39 PM GMT

Defence Secretary marks Armistice Day

02:08 PM GMT

No 10 won’t be drawn on Storm Shadow missiles question

Downing Street said “no war was ever won by a single weapon” when asked whether the UK was speaking to Joe Biden about the potential use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine within Russia before Donald Trump enters the White House.

Asked whether Britain was in talks with the outgoing US President, following suggestions that Mr Biden could be asked about giving permission for the weapons to be used, a No 10 spokeswoman said: “Our position on Storm Shadow hasn’t changed.

“We’ve always said that where we discuss our support for Ukraine, we do so in terms of broader strategy to ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position going forwards, particularly in the winter, and we’ve also been clear that no war was ever won by a single weapon.”

01:31 PM GMT

No change in UK position on arms for Ukraine, insists No 10

Downing Street insisted there was “no change” to the UK’s position on supplying weapons to Ukraine amid speculation that Britain and France are looking to ramp up arms provision before Donald Trump takes office.

Asked whether the UK was looking to provide “as many arms as it can” before Mr Trump’s presidency, a No 10 spokeswoman said: “There’s no change in that regard… We’ll be maintaining our position of continually stepping up.

“That means ensuring Ukraine gets what it needs and gets it more quickly.”

01:19 PM GMT

Starmer ‘honoured’ to represent UK at Armistice Day event in Paris

01:10 PM GMT

No 10 won’t commit to hitting defence spending target within five years

No 10 would not guarantee defence spending will rise to 2.5 per cent of GDP within the next five years.

Labour has pledged to hit the number but it has not set a deadline for getting there. The Government has said it will set out a “clear path” to achieving the target in the spring of next year.

Asked if 2.5 per cent would be reached during the current Parliament, the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said: “I think the Defence Secretary spoke to this this morning, repeating words from the Chief Secretary [to the Treasury] yesterday that we will set out a clear path to 2.5 per cent and set that out in the spring.

“In the meantime we have the defence review which will help us work out not just how much we will spend in the future but how we will spend it to make sure that we spend it well.”

12:58 PM GMT

UK expects US to stand with Ukraine ‘for as long as it takes’, says No 10

Downing Street said it expected the US under Donald Trump’s leadership to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes” to defeat Vladimir Putin and Russia.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said: “This is another one where we are not going to speculate on positions before the administration is in place.

“We have always welcomed sustained bipartisan support in the US for Ukraine and that has been key to our international efforts to support [Ukraine].

“As the Defence Secretary said this morning we expect the US to remain alongside allies like the UK in standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes to prevail over Putin’s invasion.”

12:35 PM GMT

Starmer and Macron discuss how to put Ukraine in ‘strongest possible position’

Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer discussed “how best to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into the winter” when they met for talks at the Elysee Palace in Paris this morning.

Downing Street said the two leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East and the migrant Channel crossings crisis.

A No 10 readout of the call said:

12:15 PM GMT

Telegraph readers respond to Starmer’s historic trip to Paris

Sir Keir Starmer became the first UK leader since 1944 to attend Armistice Day commemorations in Paris this morning.

Telegraph readers have been responding to Sir Keir’s visit in the comments section of today’s live blog:

11:55 AM GMT

Starmer and Macron visited Churchill statue on way to Arc de Triomphe

Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer visited a statue of Sir Winston Churchill before the main Armistice Day commemorations at the Arc de Triomphe this morning.

The statue is located just off Avenue Winston Churhcill in the grounds of the Petit Palais close to the River Seine, a stone’s throw away from the Champs Elysee.

The two leaders stopped and stood side by side as they paid their respects to the British wartime leader.

11:24 AM GMT

Foreign Secretary marks Armistice Day

11:05 AM GMT

Pictured: Macron and Starmer sign Golden Book of the Unknown Soldier’s sacred flame

10:55 AM GMT

Starmer marks Armistice Day

10:53 AM GMT

Starmer leaves Macron after attending Armistice Day ceremony

Sir Keir Starmer has now left the Armistice Day ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in the centre of Paris.

Emmanuel Macron embraced the Prime Minister before he got into a waiting car.

Sir Keir will shortly be making his way to Baku in Azerbaijan to attend the Cop29 climate change summit.

10:48 AM GMT

Macron and Starmer share joke about ‘British weather’

Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron could be heard joking about the wet weather as they watched proceedings at the Arc de Triomphe.

The Prime Minister said with a smile that “everybody is blaming me” for the rain in Paris this morning.

The French president then replied: “Some people said ‘you came with the British weather’.”

10:44 AM GMT

Pictured: Macron and Starmer inspect armed forces

10:36 AM GMT

PM and French president meet armed forces veterans

Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer are now meeting armed forces veterans underneath the Arc de Triomphe.

A giant French tricolour flag hangs above them and it is blowing back and forth in the wind.

Both Sir Keir and Mr Macron were all smiles as they were introduced to the veterans.

10:22 AM GMT

Starmer and Macron place joint wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have now placed a joint wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe.

The two leaders took a few steps backwards after placing the wreath and stood in silence for a few moments.

10:17 AM GMT

UK PM and French president inspect armed forces

Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron got into an open-top military vehicle and stood as they paraded around the Arc de Triomphe to inspect the assembled members of the armed forces.

A military band played as they made their slow progress around the famous roundabout.

BBC News

Some of the VIPs watching the ceremony are huddled under black umbrellas as the rain pours down in Paris.

10:14 AM GMT

Macron, Barnier and Starmer watch on as military band plays national anthems

Sir Keir Starmer stood alongside Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and Michel Barnier, the French prime minister, as a French military band played the national anthems.

The band started with God Save the King before then playing La Marseillaise.

10:12 AM GMT

Starmer and Macron arrive at Arc de Triomphe

Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have now arrived at the Arc de Triomphe where they will place wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The two leaders shook hands with waiting members of the French armed forces after exiting their car.

The Arc, normally surrounded by 12 lanes of traffic, is completely still this morning, with the centre of the city closed down for the Armistice Day ceremony.

10:06 AM GMT

Macron and Starmer travelling to Arc de Triomphe for Armistice Day ceremony

Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer are now making their way to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

The two leaders will place wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Sir Keir is the first UK leader to attend the Armistice Day ceremony in Paris since Winston Churchill attended alongside Charles de Gaulle in 1944.

09:50 AM GMT

What are Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron talking about?

Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron were expected to plot a last-ditch attempt to thwart Donald Trump’s efforts to scale back US support for Ukraine when they met in Paris this morning.

The British and French leaders were due to discuss whether Joe Biden, the US president, could be persuaded to give Ukraine permission to fire Storm Shadow missiles deep into Russia, according to UK Government insiders.

The Telegraph has been told there are hopes in London that Mr Biden will finally give the approval Kyiv has sought for months in an attempt to secure his foreign policy legacy.

You can read the full story here. 

09:44 AM GMT

UK support for Ukraine not weakening, says Healey

John Healey has rejected reported comments by Ukrainian officials suggesting Kyiv is unhappy with the Labour Government’s level of support.

He said it was “simply not correct” to say the situation was not the same as it was under Rishi Sunak and had worsened under the new administration.

It comes after the Guardian reported officials in Kyiv as having said relations have deteriorated since Labour took office and voiced frustration over Britain’s failure to provide additional long-range weapons.

Asked about the reported remarks, Mr Healey told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “That is simply not correct.

“We’ve stepped up with more military support. We’ve speeded up deliveries. We’re now spending more on military aid for Ukraine than ever before as a UK Government, and I spoke at length to the defence minister in Ukraine yesterday.

“He certainly doesn’t see the UK support weakening, and he said the Ukrainians are confident in Britain’s continuing and steadfast support for their country.”

09:14 AM GMT

Healey defends delay in setting date for achieving defence spending target

John Healey defended the Government’s plans to set out a “clear path” in the spring to reaching a defence spending target of 2.5 per cent of GDP.

Labour has committed to hitting the number but it has not set a deadline for doing so, with more information not expected until next year.

Asked why it was taking so long to complete the defence review, the Defence Secretary told LBC: “It’s a question of how much you spend but [also] how you spend it and how well you spend it. If I said today look, we’ll spend 2.5 per cent on defence, your next and immediate question would be well, how will you spend it?

“That’s the purpose of the defence review that we’ve already launched – that Keir Starmer launched within a fortnight of Labour coming [into Government].”

Presenter Nick Ferrari interjected: “So it takes nine months? That’s almost as long as it takes to have a child, under the Labour Government to work out just the date.”

Mr Healey replied: “The reason for taking stock of the threats we face, the capabilities that we need for the future, is to allow us to deal with this new era of insecurity and make our forces better fit to fight, better able to deter those who would do us harm.”

08:48 AM GMT

Wallace calls for Poland and Italy to join Quad group on defence

Ben Wallace, the Tory former defence secretary, has called for Poland and Italy to be invited to join a prominent defence alliance.

Mr Wallace said the so-called Quad of nations, which includes the leaders of the UK, France, Germany and the US, must be reformed because it is “outdated”.

He tweeted this morning: “We need to reform the outdated ‘quad’ - UK, France, Germany and US in defence.

“I lobbied to include Italy and Poland but the FCDO and other members constantly refused to recognise how defence had changed.”

08:36 AM GMT

Macron welcomes Starmer to Elysee Palace for talks

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has just welcomed Sir Keir Starmer to the Elysee Palace in Paris.

The two leaders embraced and conducted a lengthy handshake as they chatted.

They then posed for photographers before heading inside.

08:34 AM GMT

Ukraine decides when peace talks start, says Cabinet minister

John Healey said it is “Ukraine that gets to call when the talking starts” after a Trump ally appeared to suggest that the war could end if Kyiv was open to ceding land to Russia.

The Defence Secretary told BBC Breakfast: “Because of the strength of bipartisan support in the US and a recognition that it’s in no one’s interest to let an aggressor like (Vladimir) Putin redraw international boundaries by force, I expect the US to remain steadfast alongside countries like the UK.

“We can do more to support Ukraine. We’re doing that at the moment, and that will be part of the discussion that Prime Minister Starmer has with President (Emmanuel) Macron this morning in Paris.”

Asked what the UK’s reaction to the suggestion that the war could come to a conclusion if there was support within Ukraine to give away land to Russia, he said: “It’s Ukraine that gets to call when the talking starts. Our job is to support Ukraine, stand by them when they fight, stand by them if they decide to talk.

“This could be ended today if Putin withdrew following his illegal invasion… that’s the way this conflict could be ended, and the importance for us for Europe and for the United States is that Putin in the long run does not prevail, because if he does prevail, he will not stop at Ukraine, and the cost to us all will be much greater in the future.”

08:26 AM GMT

Healey: World will have to ‘wait and see’ what Trump’s Ukraine plan is

The world will have to “wait and see” what Donald Trump “really proposes” over Ukraine, John Healey said.

The Defence Secretary told BBC Breakfast: “We’ll have to wait and see what president Trump really proposes… but if the reports of his call with [Vladimir] Putin last week are right then president Trump is exactly right to warn Putin against escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.

“And our task as a nation supporting Ukraine, one of its leading supporters, alongside allies like France, is to step up our support to reinforce the position that Ukraine has at this period where it’s under great pressure from Russia.”

Mr Trump talked about ending the war on “day one” throughout his presidential campaign, leading to fears he could attempt to force Kyiv to accept land lost to Russia.

08:17 AM GMT

Pictured: Starmer hosts UK defence community in Paris ahead of Macron talks

08:15 AM GMT

Starmer first UK leader since Churchill to attend Armistice Day in Paris

Sir Keir Starmer will be the first UK leader to attend the Armistice Day ceremony in Paris since Winston Churchill in 1944.

The Prime Minister will be travelling to the Cop29 climate change summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, after concluding his engagements in the French capital.

08:08 AM GMT

Healey: Young generations lack ‘full understanding’ of armed forces

Newer generations do not have a “full understanding” of the UK’s armed forces, according to the Defence Secretary.

John Healey said Remembrance and Armistice Day should be used as a tool to better educate younger people.

He told Sky News: “I have had this enormous privilege in the four months of doing this job to meet some of the most inspirational people of my life, people in uniform who are really undertaking the ultimate public service, willing to put their lives on the line for the rest of us.

“So there is no shortage of courage or professionalism in the British forces.

“What I think there is, is an increasing perhaps lack of full understanding of our forces afterall last year marked 60 years since the last of the national service generation was discharged.

“And so I think we need to do more and use Remembrance and Armistice, not just to recognise the sacrifices of those who gave so much but also to remind ourselves that peace and freedoms are hard won, must always be defended and to encourage the new generations to understand better.”

08:02 AM GMT

US will not turn away from Nato under Trump, insists Defence Secretary

The US will not “turn away from Nato” when Donald Trump moves into the White House again, the Defence Secretary said.

John Healey was asked during an interview on Sky News if the UK would be in a weak and exposed position if the US was to turn away from the alliance.

He replied: “No, we wouldn’t be in a weak position, I don’t expect the US to turn away from Nato. They recognise the importance of the alliance. They recognise the importance of avoiding further conflict in Europe.

“But I do say, and I have argued for some time, that the European nations in Nato need to do more of the heavy lifting.

“It is one of the reasons that the UK and Germany have forged now within four months of becoming a new government the deep new defence agreement. It is part of reinforcing the European leadership in Nato and we will play our part in that.”

07:59 AM GMT

Trump’s US will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, says Healey

The US under Donald Trump’s leadership will stand with Ukraine “for as long as it takes” to defeat Vladimir Putin and Russia, John Healey insisted this morning.

The Defence Secretary told Sky News: “It is certainly the case that the US has been the outstanding supporter of Ukraine and that is because on a bipartisan basis in the US they recognise the importance of stopping big countries redrawing international boundaries by force and allowing aggressors like Putin to launch illegal invasions.

“And as far as president Trump goes, he recognises that countries get security through strength, just as alliances like Nato do, and I expect the US to remain alongside allies like the UK standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes to prevail over Putin’s invasion.”

07:49 AM GMT

John Healey: Ukraine no less safe since Trump’s election win

Ukraine is no less safe after Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, according to the Defence Secretary.

Asked if he believed the safety of Ukraine had fallen since Mr Trump’s victory last week, John Healey told Sky News: “No, I don’t. The US alongside the UK have been two of the leading countries that have been standing by Ukraine, supporting Ukraine.

“Our determination to do so is just as strong and I was at a Nato defence ministers meeting just two weeks ago when all Nato nations recommitted to stepping up support for Ukraine at this time when they are under pressure but Russia is weakening.”

07:45 AM GMT

Starmer to hold talks with Macron in Paris ahead of Armistice commemorations

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to discuss Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East when he meets Emmanuel Macron in Paris this morning ahead of attending an Armistice commemoration.

The Prime Minister is heading to the French capital at the invitation of the French president to attend the annual event.

Ahead of the commemorations, Sir Keir will hold a bilateral meeting with the French president. Foreign policy issues are expected to be among the topics they will discuss, including the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

During the morning the Prime Minister will host veterans, defence charities and British military personnel at the ambassador’s residence, and is also expected to meet the new French prime minister Michel Barnier.