UK premier, French president discuss Ukraine, Gaza in phone call

In a phone conversation on the evening of May 5, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron covered a range of critical topics, including the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, irregular migration, and the situation in Gaza.

Prime Minister Starmer began the call by reflecting on the "privilege" of participating in this week’s VE Day commemorative events, noting the importance of remembering the sacrifices made during World War II. This sentiment set the tone for a broader discussion about peace and stability, caliber.Az reports, citing the UK government website.

Turning to the situation in Ukraine, the leaders emphasised the urgency of a 30-day ceasefire agreement to facilitate meaningful peace talks. Starmer reiterated that Ukraine had shown a clear willingness to engage in negotiations and was committed to peace, urging Russia to follow suit.

Both leaders also looked ahead to the upcoming UK-France summit scheduled for later this year. Starmer and Macron expressed their intention to increase cooperation between their countries, particularly in defence, security, and addressing the challenge of irregular migration. They highlighted the need for stronger measures to disrupt irregular migration upstream, preventing it from reaching their borders.

In addition to bilateral concerns, the two leaders discussed the importance of a successful EU-UK summit set to take place in two weeks, which they agreed would be pivotal for reinforcing relations between the two sides post-Brexit.

The conversation also turned to Gaza, where both leaders voiced deep concern over the ongoing violence and instability. They agreed that a renewed peace process was crucial for long-term stability in the region, acknowledging the urgent need for international efforts to bring about a sustainable resolution.

By Khagan Isayev