Meeting with Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

President Macron had a meeting at Chequers today, Thursday 9 January 2025, with Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

This latest bilateral meeting was centred on key international issues, Ukraine and the Middle East, on strengthening the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and on deepening the relations uniting France and the United Kingdom, with a view to the forthcoming Franco-British summit planned for between now and the summer.

The situation in Ukraine was at the heart of the discussions. The two leaders reaffirmed their desire to coordinate closely to support Ukraine for as long as necessary. They emphasized the importance of continuing to supply the equipment necessary to defend Ukrainian territory and of guaranteeing lasting financial support to Ukraine beyond 2025. Finally, they stressed the importance of providing Ukraine with security guarantees so that it could be protected in future against further attacks.

At bilateral level, the forthcoming Franco-British summit will have to provide the opportunity to modernize the Lancaster House framework and deepen cooperation projects on defence, the energy transition, artificial intelligence, migration and cultural exchanges.