LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer traveled to Paris to attend the French Armistice celebrations with French President Emmanuel Macron, making him the first British leader to do so since Winston Churchill in 1944.

Before the ceremony, the two leaders held a bilateral meeting, during which they reflected on the close ties between France and Britain and discussed key foreign policy issues, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, said Downing Street.

The meeting comes less than a week after Donald Trump was re-elected in the United States. Trump has boasted of his “very good relationship” with President Vladimir Putin of Russia and has described NATO as “outdated,” in contrast to Britain and France’s goals to strengthen NATO and support Ukraine.

The joint Armistice Day ceremony symbolizes “the close and enduring friendship between Great Britain and France,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

In Paris, the two leaders received French and British veterans and representatives of veterans’ organizations at the ambassador’s residence to thank them for their services.

Starmer and Macron visited the Arc de Triomphe, where they laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to mark the 106th anniversary of Armistice Day.

“I am honored to be in Paris to join President Macron in tribute to the fallen of the First World War who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today,” said Starmer, who was personally presented by Macron was invited to attend the ceremony. .

Armistice Day celebrates the agreement that ended the First World War on November 11, 1918.

Starmer also pledged £10 million to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe and the end of the Second World War in Japan next year.

The Prime Minister’s Office said preparations for the commemorative events have already begun.