Trump is ‘right’ to talk to Putin about war in Ukraine, says UK Defense Secretary – British Politics Live | policy

Keir Starmer met Michel Barnierthe French Prime Minister, in Paris this morning. They know each other well, from the time when Starmer was shadow Brexit secretary and Barnier was the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, and Barner says he was “tres heureux” to meet his old interlocutor.

And here’s a translation (mainly from Google, but with my version of “vient de loin, a connu les épreuves” because Google’s wasn’t very good.)

Very happy to see you again in Paris this morning, @Keir_Starmer.

Franco-British friendship has come a long way, through thick and thin. It will be invaluable in addressing the challenges that lie ahead.

Thank you, Prime Minister, @10DowningStreet for being with the French people this November 11th.

(The tone of Barnier’s message may anger some Brexiteers. They still see him as the devil incarnate, and seeing him be so kind to Starmer could rekindle their suspicions about the prime minister’s Europhilia.)

Good morning Keir Starmer is in Paris this morning for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. The Prime Minister is visiting to attend the Armistice Day service in France, but the real interest will be in what the leaders of Europe’s two biggest military powers have to say as they discuss the impact of Donald Trump’s victory at the U.S. Discuss presidential elections.

Here is Jessica Elgotis the overnight preview story.

John Healeythe Secretary of Defense, did a media tour this morning. It remains uncertain what Trump will do about Ukraine – at all – but it is reported in the US that Trump has spoken to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, and urged him not to escalate the Russian offensive in Ukraine . In their story Maya Yang Reports:

Donald Trump spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin on Thursday and discussed the war in Ukraine, the Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The US president-elect advised the Russian president not to escalate the war in Ukraine and reminded him of “Washington’s significant military presence in Europe,” the Post reported.

It added that Trump had expressed interest in further discussions on “the early resolution of the Ukraine war.”

During the campaign, Trump said he would find a solution to end the war “within a day,” but did not explain how he would do so.

According to a former U.S. official familiar with the call who spoke to The Washington Post, Trump probably doesn’t want to start his second term as president with an escalation in the Ukraine war, “which gives him an incentive to prevent the war from escalating.” to want”. “.

In an interview on the Today show: Healey welcomed this report. When asked if Ukraine would lose the war, he replied:

Ukraine is certainly under pressure. Russia is undoubtedly escalating, and President Trump has reportedly informed Putin of this and warned him of further escalation. If he did that, he’s right.

Russia escalates and deploys North Korean troops on its territory. The situation is escalating and last month alone more than 2,000 kamikaze drones were fired in one direction towards Kiev and the rest of Ukrainian cities. And one person is responsible for this escalation, and that is Putin.

I’ll be posting more of Healey’s interviews soon.

Here is the agenda.

Morning: Keir Starmer meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

10 O `clock: Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, gives evidence as part of the Post Office Horizon Inquiry. He is followed by Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, who is testifying in her capacity as Reynolds’ predecessor as business secretary. Her testimony could last into the afternoon.

11.30 a.m.: Downing Street holds a lobby briefing.

2.30 p.m.: Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, answers questions in the House of Commons.

Afternoon: Starmer is expected to speak to journalists as he flies from Paris to Baku, where he is attending the Cop29 summit.

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