Starmer and Macron lead the events of the 106th anniversary of the Armistice, in a gesture of unity in the face of the Russian threat and the arrival of Trump

80 years after the liberation of France from Nazism and on the day of Armistice that marked the end of the First World War 106 years ago, France and Great Britain showed this Monday in Paris a gesture of unity and military strengthin a world of geopolitical tensions, in the face of threats in Europe from Russia and Vladimir Putin and those from the American president-elect Donald Trump to weaken NATO. The first step of a new European unity post-Brexit.

On a foggy day, in the drizzle, at the imposing Arc de Triomphe, President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, together, They paid tribute to the unknown soldier. One by one they greeted the war veterans, the troops of both countries and they sent a message of unity when they are the two European nuclear forces.

The objective was to demonstrate that Europe can defend itself its interests are common and it has the will to build an autonomous European force that functions according to its interests.

The British Prime Minister made the trip to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the 1918 armistice. Keir Starmer, in office since the beginning of July, was alongside Emmanuel Macron at the traditional ceremony celebrating the end of the First World War, “under the sign of Franco-British friendship.”

At his side was Prime Minister Michel Barnier, with a Poppy British red (poppy flower) on the lapel as a tribute to the fallen, former Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy and the cabinet. Former president François Hollande, who is now a socialist deputy, was not present.

Winston Churchill was the last British Prime Minister to visit Paris for Armistice Daywhich he celebrated with Charles de Gaulle in 1944. Starmer was the second.

For 106 years, France has commemorated the soldiers who fell in combat during the First World War every November 11. A date not chosen at random: it is the day of the signing of the Armistice and therefore, the end of the Great War.

On November 11, 1918, at 5:15 in the morning, the French and German generals They were found in a train car set up in Rethondesin the Compiègne forest (Oise). Marshal Foch, commander-in-chief of the Allied armies, and Secretary of State Erzberger, president of the German delegation, signed this agreement. 10 million soldiers died in that war.

Downing St. said Starmer and Macron discussed “the close ties between the two countries,” which were cemented by the “sacrifice of British and French soldiers on the front lines in World Wars I and II.” In addition to Ukraine, the two leaders spoke of the “terrible humanitarian situation in Gaza.” Starmer also met with Michel Barnier, the French prime minister and Brexit negotiator with Britain from the European Union.

Macron spoke last week of the importance of defending European interests. He recently suggested that EU must be more “carnivorous” than “herbivorous” on the international stage. He was referring especially to the new American president-elect.

“He (Trump) is an American. He will defend American interests. We have to be prepared to defend the interests of Europeans. That is our question. That has to be our priority“Macron said.

The elected president of the United States He has said that he wants to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. This has raised concerns that Ukraine may be forced to give up territory. Trump has said the war is a drain on American resources. France and Great Britain are Ukraine’s great European military allies. Putin’s invasion It is a threat to the Baltic countries and the European Union.

According to The Washington Post, Trump spoke with President Putin on Thursday night and urged him not to escalate the war in Ukraine. kyiv was not informed. On Sunday, Russia heavily attacked Ukraine and Ukrainian drones arrived in Moscow.

President Putin described Donald Trump as “brave” this week.

As there were also celebrations in Great Britain, the meeting between Macron and Starmer took place very early at the Elysée Palace, on this holiday in France.

Regarding Ukraine, according to the French presidency, they reaffirmed “their determination to support kyiv unwaveringly and for as long as necessary. It was just when the continuation of US military aid seems more questioned than ever with the return of Donald Trump to the White House.

They also reiterated their desire to “continue their efforts with all regional and international partners” for the return of peace to the Middle East. They plan to continue their cooperation on “migration in the Channel, in particular against human trafficking networks,” the Elysée added in its statement.

The military ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe was more symbolic than ever, at a difficult time for the European Union, which has not invested in a military budget after the end of the Cold War and society has lost that post-war military spirit.

Starmer and Macron headed to the Champs-Elysées, where they greeted visitors and reviewed the troops. They then laid a wreath at the statue of Winston Churchill and then at that of Georges Clemenceau.

Under a gray and ominous sky, Emmanuel Macron and Labor Premier Keir Starmer, followed by Prime Minister Michel Barnier and Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu, then headed towards the Arc de Triomphe.

After surrounding the monument to greet the troops, the French head of state and the British prime minister laid flowers on the grave of the Unknown Soldier and rekindled the Flame, before the traditional hymns sung by the French Army Choir were played. They then saluted French and British veterans and the families of soldiers who died for the country.

The flame of the unknown soldier It has never been turned off since it was first lit on November 11, 1923.. The British Prime Minister’s visit was symbolic, as this year marks the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale between France and the United Kingdom.

“For our war wounded. For our orphans, our widows and widowers of soldiers who fell for France. For our veterans, heroes of yesterday. For our soldiers, our sailors, our aviators, the heroes of today,” the French head of state wrote in X.

“French-British friendship goes back a long way and has gone through tests. It will be invaluable in meeting the challenges that lie ahead.”added, also in X, Prime Minister Michel Barnier.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and President Macron met to discuss the importance of free trade and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, amid uncertainty about the global repercussions of Donald Trump’s re-election.

The two leaders discussed Trump’s promise to impose general tariffs of up to 20 percent on imports. For Sir Keir Starmer, this American trade war could be for the kingdom worse than Brexit.

USA It is Britain’s largest trading partner. It is estimated that the tariffs could cost the UK economy £21.5bn next year, which is likely to drive up inflation and interest rates.

Great Britain hopes to get an exemption. But both the UK and the EU have drawn up plans to impose retaliatory levies, if required. Those of the EU include tariffs on products such as Kentucky bourbon, Levi’s jeans and Harley Davidson motorcycles.

There are concerns that the tariffs could further derail Starmer’s attempts to grow the economy. Official forecasts downgraded UK growth in the wake of the budget. A government source said: “Economic growth is our number one priority. That means supporting free trade. We believe in Britain as a great trading nation.”

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor of British finance, is expected to use her speech at Mansion House in the City of London this week to defend free trade.

Lord Mandelson, the favorite to become British ambassador to the United States, said Britain faced a “transactional rollercoaster” under Trump. But it could reach a trade agreement based on technology. “Not the old goods and mortar deal, but more clicks and portals of the future,” he told the BBC.

Starmer will also face pressure from Trump on defense. The UK spends 2.3 per cent of GDP on defence. Although the Prime Minister has committed to raising it to 2.5 per cent, he has refused to set a timetable. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, refused to say on Sunday whether the government would meet the target by 2029, despite public pressure from Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the chief of the defense staff. Jones said the government would confirm the schedule in the spring.

Ahead of the commemorations in Paris, Starmer announced a £10m spend to mark the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe Day and Victory in Japan Day next year.

Starmer said: “I am honored to be in Paris to join President Macron in honoring the fallen of the First World War, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today.”

“These events are vital to ensuring that the memories of millions of young soldiers, sailors and airmen live for generations to come”, concluded the British Prime Minister.