We stand with Ukraine, Starmer says, as leaders hold Downing Street talks with Zelensky
Significant remarks from Merz and Macronpublished at 16:40 GMT on December 8
Joe Inwood
Global News Correspondent
Image source, EPAWhile we heard the usual diplomatic niceties at Downing Street, talking about unwavering European support for Ukraine, there were some particularly notable and somewhat off-script contributions.
German Chancellor Merz says he is “skeptical” about certain details coming from Washington.
Without specifying what elements exactly, this is something of a departure from the usual praise lavished on the Trump administration’s attempts to find a peaceful solution.
Even more striking, French President Macron declared that Europe had “a lot of cards in hand”.
It was certainly not an empty phrase. Ostensibly, he was arguing that the continent is a vast economic and diplomatic power, capable of influencing the course of this war.
But it is also seen as a direct reference to the now-infamous White House rift between the U.S. and Ukrainian presidents.
Last February, when tempers were crumbling, Trump disguised his Ukrainian guest by telling him “you don’t have the cards”.
In the process, European leaders immediately rallied behind the Ukrainian president, once again in Downing Street.
But holding cards and playing them well are very different things. We are waiting to see how Europe will use its hand.
