UK and France to strike precision weapons deal at Paris summit

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Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron are set to strike a deal for the UK and France to collaborate on building weapons to combat Russian aggression .

The Prime Minister is due to meet his French counterpart in Paris on Friday, where the two men will discuss how to work more closely to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian invasion.

They should sign an agreement to look into developing long-range "next generation" missiles - the type NATO needs to protect against the threat of Vladimir Putin's regime.

Mr. Sunak and Mr. Macron are also ready to coordinate further on British and French plans for the supply of arms to Ukraine and the joint training of Ukrainian marines.

In a surprise move signaling a desire to closer security collaboration with Europe, the Prime Minister will also confirm that the UK will next year host a meeting of the European Political Community – the club proposed by Mr Macron to foster ide rapprochement EU.

Boris Johnson had said he was not interested in a formal structure for a wider European club. Liz Truss had also expressed skepticism, but attended the group's first summit in Prague in October.

Speaking ahead of the first Franco-British bilateral summit in five years, officials said the allies hope a new weapons project will produce the kind of long-range missiles NATO needs to "protect itself against the growing threat from Russia".

Mr. Sunak said the West was facing "unprecedented threats" and that he and Mr Macron both wanted to "fortify" NATO so the defensive alliance was "ready to meet the challenges of the future". /p>

During their talks at the Elysee Palace - which will include discussion of a new deal on tackling small boat crossings - No 10 said the French Prime Minister and President would agree that Russia poses the greatest threat to global security.

Mr. Sunak said: "Our deep history, our closeness and our shared global vision mean that a strong partnership between the UK and France is not only valuable, it is essential.

"From the fight against the scourge of the illeg...