Macron, Starmer Reset Ties Amid Key Policy Push

French President Emmanuel Macron is undertaking a state visit to the UK, the first by an EU leader since Brexit, marking a major reset in Franco-British relations. The visit, hosted with royal ceremony by King Charles III, includes top-level talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on curbing Channel migrant crossings, post-ceasefire security in Ukraine, and civil nuclear cooperation. Macron is pressing Starmer to agree to a 'one-in, one-out' migrant returns deal and to swiftly recognize Palestinian statehood, though the two leaders differ on the timing and conditions for such recognition. Record-high migrant crossings have intensified political pressure on Starmer to achieve concrete results. Both leaders aim to boost defense ties and European security as US involvement in Ukraine declines. The visit reflects the UK government's broader push to restore trust with the EU and tackle shared geopolitical challenges.