Macron to visit UK tomorrow as Starmer eyes 'reset' with EU

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to begin a state visit to the United Kingdom tomorrow, where he is set to address the British Parliament and co-chair a meeting on Ukraine as London seeks to strengthen its ties with Europe after Brexit.

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King Charles III has invited the French leader and his wife, Brigitte, on a three-day official visit during which Mr Macron is to hold joint discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the 37th Franco-British Summit on Thursday.

Talks will focus on aid to Ukraine, joint efforts to halt illegal migration crossing the Channel, and strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.

"This is the first state visit to the United Kingdom by a European Union head of state since Brexit," the Elysee Palace said on Friday, referring to the UK's 2016 vote to leave the bloc.

"And, especially, the first since Prime Minister Starmer signalled what he called a 'reset' of relations between the United Kingdom and Europe," it added.

There were simmering political tensions between Paris and London in the immediate aftermath of Brexit under the previous right-wing Conservative British government.

But there has been a new warmth in relations under the centre-left Labour government led by Mr Starmer, and the two countries now lead European efforts to find peace for Ukraine.