The two leaders appeared to smooth over tensions during their meeting in New York, which No 10 said was dominated by Ukraine and energy security, but avoided the contentious issues of the Northern Ireland Protocol and immigration. After the talks, the French president told reporters: “Now I believe in proof, in results. There is a will to re-engage, to move forward and show that we are allies and friends in a complex world.” During the Conservative leadership contest, Truss said “the jury is out” on whether Macron was “friend or foe” after her predecessor Boris Johnson clashed with him over Brexit and small boats they crossed the English Channel. Liz Truss: ‘The jury is out’ on whether Macron is UK friend or foe – video In what appeared to be a softening of her stance, Truss told reporters on the plane to New York that she wants to have a “constructive” relationship with France, working with Macron on immigration, Brexit, energy security and Ukraine. Government sources said the prime minister’s more conciliatory tone reflected her desire to be diplomatic on the day of the Queen’s funeral, although after the talks, No 10 said the two leaders wanted to “strengthen” their relationship. After the Queen’s death, the French president tweeted about the “unbreakable” ties between France and the UK. No 10 and French sources confirmed that the potential issue of a post-Brexit trade relationship had not been discussed. However, the French claimed that immigration had been raised by Truss, but only in passing. French sources revealed that the two leaders briefly discussed Macron’s European political community plan to address political and security-related challenges facing the continent. The government is wary of the suggestion that the UK could join the new body and the prime minister’s official spokesman said Truss wanted to know more details before giving its view, amid concerns it could compete with the G7 as the best collaboration forum. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. After the meeting, a Downing Street spokesman said: “Leaders welcomed the impressive progress made by the Ukrainian armed forces in recent days. They agreed on the importance of Ukraine’s friends and allies staying the course and supporting the country militarily, economically and politically. “As our people face a difficult winter with huge uncertainty about energy supplies and the cost of living, Prime Minister and President Macron underlined the importance of working together to end dependence on Russian energy and strengthen energy security. We have to keep proving [Vladimir] Putin that his economic blackmail for energy and food supplies will not succeed. “The prime minister and president look forward to strengthening our partnership with France and other like-minded European countries, including through the G7 and NATO.”
