“The leaders updated one another on their respective discussions with international partners, including the Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv last week. They agreed that finding a diplomatic solution to the current tensions must remain the overriding priority,” Downing Street said in a statement. “The Prime Minister and President Macron stressed that NATO must be united in the face of Russian aggression. They agreed to continue to work together to develop a package of sanctions which would come into force immediately should Russia further invade Ukraine.”

The statement noted that “the leaders discussed their work to strengthen NATO’s Eastern flank, ensuring that allies are fully defended against malicious Russian activity, wherever and however it might occur.”

Johnson re-emphasized to President Macron his commitment to work with France on the shared challenge of illegal migration in the Channel, according to the statement.

Johnson and Macron agreed on the need to cooperate to stop people traffickers. (ILKHA)