The Prime Minister Sir Keir will join French President Emmanuel Macron at Armistice Day celebrations in Paris on Monday. They are expected to discuss European security and what impact a second Trump administration in the US would have.
Donald Trump’s support of Ukraine is uncertain after he said that he could end Russia’s war “in one day”.
Downing Street announced that Macron and Starmer will discuss the ongoing Russian invasion and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza before attending a ceremony on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Sir Keir is believed to be first British leader since Winston Churchill to attend the Champs-Elysee ceremony in 1944.
Sir Keir is also scheduled to meet with French Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
After Trump’s election as US president, questions have been raised about what his second-term could mean for US support of Ukraine and Nato.
The UK and France said that backing Ukraine against Russia was essential to protect the European continent.
Trump has told Nato members that they should increase their defence spending. He said he would let aggressors like Russia do “whatever it wants” to those who do not.
On Sunday, Treasury minister Darren Jones said on BBC One’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg program that the government wants to increase defense spending from 2,3% to 2,5% of national income.
He did not specify when the goal would be achieved or if it would be before the next elections, which could take place as early as 2029.
Sir Keir, along with other political leaders, members of the Royal Family and the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the annual National Service of Remembrance Ceremony at the Cenotaph, London, on Sunday.
King Charles led the nation to two minutes of silence as a tribute to those who died in the two World Wars or other conflicts.
On Armistice Day, at 11:00 GMT, the same two-minute silence as on Remembrance Day will be observed.
The end of World War One was marked at 11:00 on 11th November 1918.
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