UK-France diplomatic and security cooperation

Following his appointment, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham initiated a series of diplomatic engagements, beginning with a visit to Kyiv to signal continued support for Ukraine. During this trip, Burnham co-chaired a meeting of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The UK also authorized the defense firm MBDA to release classified information regarding SCALP missile components to assist Ukraine in establishing domestic assembly lines.

Subsequent bilateral meetings between Burnham and Macron at Downing Street expanded the scope of UK-France cooperation. The leaders agreed to intensify efforts to address illegal migration across the English Channel, noting progress in reducing small boat crossings while acknowledging the need for further action. Discussions also covered economic concerns regarding the ‘Made in Europe’ initiative and international security issues, including the situation in Ukraine and stability in the Middle East.

In a follow-up meeting in London, Burnham and Macron reaffirmed the effectiveness of current policing and border cooperation in reducing unauthorized crossings. Building on this success, the leaders agreed to expand their collaborative model to other European nations to strengthen regional deterrence and governance. They also revisited support for the local assembly of long-range missiles in Ukraine, expressed concerns regarding stability in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz, and sought to balance industrial interests to improve UK-EU relations.