Sir Keir Starmer is now asked about how he views the "reassurance" force outlined by Emmanuel Macron a short time ago (see 13.44 post). 

"The group of countries asked Emmanuel and me to lead the coordination, of the efforts," he begins...

There's a catch, though, that Macron did not mention. 

"This is done in recognition that we also need US involvement," he says.

In other words Europe needs its 'Big Brother' to make all this hot air viable.

As a result, the next thing will be Trump demanding a minerals deal with the UK and France, if he is consistent with his current Ukraine policy.

But it's reassuring that the new 'reassurance force' will be led by international statesman and experienced military veterans like Macron and Starmer.

French and British people will no doubt regard their leadership as very comforting given how popular they are in their home countries.

And the US reaction is most likely to be similar to what Victoria Nuland memorably said to the US Ambassador to Ukraine back in 2014:

F**k the EU!

[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/f-the-eu-bugged-us-diplomat-makes-her-position-clear-9113380.html]

But you will need to be on Signal to find that out.