PM and Macron Meet in Paris for High-Stakes UK-France Summit
Today, the UK Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Paris for a crucial UK-France Summit. Top of the agenda: beefing up their alliance to tackle shared threats like illegal small boat crossings, energy security, and the looming danger from Russia.
Historic Alliance Under the Spotlight
This is the first face-to-face summit since the pandemic and Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The UK and France vow to transform their long-standing partnership to meet future challenges head-on.
For over a decade, the UK and France have been NATO’s biggest European defenders and the only European nuclear powers on the UN Security Council. Their defence pact, sealed by the Lancaster House Treaties in 2010, has created a formidable Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) ready to deploy 10,000 troops together in a crisis.
The Prime Minister stressed:
“Our deep history, proximity, and shared global outlook mean a firm UK-France partnership is essential. From stopping illegal migration to boosting each other’s economies, our cooperation saves lives and secures Europe. As threats evolve, we must strengthen our alliance today to meet tomorrow’s dangers.”
Focus on Russia, Ukraine, and Defence Boost
Russia remains the biggest threat to Europe’s security. The leaders will pledge to tighten NATO defences and ramp up support for Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty. This includes joint plans to develop next-gen long-range precision weapons — a game-changer against Russia’s growing threat.
UK and France will also coordinate more training and weapons supplies for Ukrainian forces. So far, the UK has trained 11,000 Ukrainian troops, recently adding pilots. Joint UK-French efforts could bring thousands more soldiers to battle-ready status.
They’ll also discuss long-term NATO security guarantees for Ukraine.
Expanding Power Beyond Europe: Indo-Pacific Presence
Both countries have the largest European military presence in the critical Indo-Pacific region. The summit will explore closer cooperation to maintain a permanent European naval presence there.
This includes coordinating deployments of France’s Charles de Gaulle carrier alongside the UK’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales carriers — signalling a strong united front in the Indo-Pacific.
Cracking Down on Illegal Migration
The summit will also push to deepen UK-French efforts to stop illegal migration via small boats. Building on last year’s deals, they aim to make crossing the Channel impossible, save lives, and dismantle organised crime gangs upstream.
Thanks to this partnership, over 30,500 illegal crossings were stopped last year — nearly double the number prevented in 2022.
