Starmer receives France's top honor for Ukraine coalition leadership

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been awarded France's highest national honor, the Legion d'honneur, by President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to Paris on Monday. The award was presented at the end of a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing," a group co-chaired by France and the UK that was established to support Ukraine following Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion, as reported by bbc.co.uk.

According to BBC News, Macron praised Starmer's "decency" and contribution to Ukraine and the security of Europe. The honor made Starmer the first serving UK prime minister to receive the Legion d'honneur from a French president, as noted by theguardian.com. The same source added that the only other British PM to receive a similar award was Winston Churchill, who was granted the higher-level Grand-Croix in 1958.

2 sources

BBC NewsStarmer becomes first UK PM to receive top French honourtheguardian.comKeir Starmer awarded Légion d'honneur by France for Ukraine coalition leadership

"Emmanuel Macron awarded the honour to Starmer for his leadership in establishing the 'coalition of the willing'"

The recognition underscores the close bilateral relationship between France and the UK on European security matters. Vanguard News reported that Macron's office confirmed he presented Starmer with the Legion d'honneur on Monday in Paris, where the prime minister was attending a summit of Ukraine's allies. KRWK noted that the Legion of Honour is France's top national honor, further highlighting the significance of the gesture.

2 sources

KRWKOutgoing UK PM Starmer given France’s top honour by President MacronVanguard NewsMacron presents UK’s Starmer with France’s highest award