Starmer accompanies Macron at Armistice Day commemorations in Paris

Starmer and Macron will hold a historic meeting in Paris on Monday, with the impact of a Trump presidency high on their agenda

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to discuss the war in Ukraine when he meets Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Armistice Day, just days after the election of Donald Trump raised concerns about reduced US support for Kiev.

The prime minister will travel to the French capital on Monday at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, where he will attend an armistice commemoration, becoming the first British leader to do so since Winston Churchill took over from General de Gaulle in 1944.

Ahead of the commemorations, Starmer is expected to discuss foreign policy issues with the French president, including the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Later in the morning, Starmer will host veterans, defense charities and British military personnel at the ambassador’s residence and is also expected to meet new French Prime Minister Michel Barnier.

The meetings come less than a week after it was confirmed that Donald Trump would return to the White House following his re-election as US president in January.

There are concerns about what a second Trump term could mean for US support for Kiev and NATO after the president-elect said during his campaign that he could end the war with Russia “in a day” but did not state. how he would do this.

Starmer’s visit to France comes as he announced more than £10 million to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day.

The prime minister has promised a “moment of national reflection” in 2025, with events on May 8 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe and on August 15 to mark the end of the Second World War.

The royal family was at the forefront of tributes on Remembrance Sunday, with the King leading the country in a two-minute silence on Remembrance Sunday, remembering the country’s war dead as the Princess of Wales looked on.

Charles laid the first wreath at the Cenotaph in central London, honoring those killed in conflicts dating back to the First World War.

Members of the royal family, the prime minister, other political leaders and foreign diplomats then paid floral tributes.

Watching from a balcony of Government House overlooking the Cenotaph, the Princess of Wales made a rare public appearance to attend Armistice Day events this weekend.

The ceremony took place after a two-minute silence in the heart of Whitehall and at war memorials in villages and towns across the country.

Queen Camilla, 77, watched Sunday’s memorial service from home as she recovered from a chest infection.