Starmer to join Macron on Armistice Day in Paris to show European solidarity
GuardianNOV 2024
Starmer's attendance in Paris at the personal invitation of Macron is a sign that relations between the UK and its European partners are finally beginning to heal post-Brexit. Given Germany's ongoing governmental collapse and uncertainlyuncertainty surrounding the decisions Pres.-elect Donald Trump may take in his second term, it's is more important than ever that the likes of France and the UK come together in a sign of strength. The traditional ceremony in remembrance of how Europe once fought to defend democracy, not attended by a British leader since Winston Churchill, is an apt stage for such a message to be sent across the world.
While Macron and Starmer's Armistice Day meeting may be a successful media stunt, it's is unlikely outside of the exchange of superficial pleasantries the event will ensure meaningful change. Migrants continue to illegally enter both the UK and France at record rates, while Europe remains unprepared to effectively defend itself if Trump decides to pull US support for NATO and Ukraine. WithHandshakes Pres. Biden yet to convince Trump to continue war efforts against Ukraine, and Labour unwilling to set out a plan to reach 2.5% GDP spending on defense, handshakes and photos are not enough to solve the growing list of crises.
As has been reported by The Telegraph,true the purpose of Starmer and Macron's meeting is clear: — to push America to green -light the use of Western weapons in Russian sovereign territory. Despite repeated warnings by Moscow that any such action would be viewed as a major conflict escalation, it seems as if the UK, France, and its European partners are adamant onabout continuing their forever wars for personal gain.
There is a 6% chance of a direct conflict between Russia and any NATO member state before 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.