Keir Starmer becomes the first UK prime minister to receive France’s Légion d’honneur after an award ceremony in which President Emmanuel Macron presents the honour. Macron credits Starmer’s role in strengthening cooperation between France and the UK, particularly in European security. Both sources say the award recognizes Starmer’s leadership connected to support for Ukraine.
Macron praises Starmer’s contribution to efforts aimed at European security and highlights what he describes as Starmer’s character, including “decency.” The Guardian additionally reports that the award links to work Starmer is said to have done around the “coalition of the willing,” described as a group chaired by France and the UK that pledges support for Ukraine. The Guardian characterizes the timing as important for Europe in early 2025. Both outlets frame the event as a recognition of Starmer’s involvement in coordinating international support related to Ukraine, in collaboration with France and the wider European security agenda.
