London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

‘Our love of France is ineradicable’ (of course we all believe him...): UK Prime Minister Johnson tries to placate furious Paris amid submarine deal row

‘Our love of France is ineradicable’ (of course we all believe him...): UK Prime Minister Johnson tries to placate furious Paris amid submarine deal row

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken about Britain’s undying love for France and the deep bond between the two countries, after the recent AUKUS security pact put a dent in relations.

“We are very, very proud of our relationship with France and it is of huge importance to this country,” Johnson told reporters upon arriving in New York for the upcoming UN General Assembly session.

“It is a very friendly relationship – an entente cordiale – that goes back a century or more and is absolutely vital for us,” the PM said, referencing the name of the World War I-era Anglo-French alliance. He added that London works “shoulder to shoulder” with Paris in NATO missions and other military endeavours around the globe.

"This is something that goes very, very deep. Our love of France, our admiration of France is ineradicable."


Johnson’s statement came after France reportedly cancelled this week’s meeting between Defence Minister Florence Parly and her UK counterpart Ben Wallace.

France has been furious since Australia ditched a major joint submarine programme in favour of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines with the help of the US and UK earlier this month. The three-nation security agreement, known as AUKUS, was blasted by the French government, which recalled the country’s ambassadors from Washington and Canberra in protest.

On Saturday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the UK has been “a bit like the third wheel” in AUKUS and scolded London for “their constant opportunism.” French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune told the country’s media that Britain’s strategy after Brexit “apparently consists of being a junior partner [of the US] rather than working with various allies,” and alleged that the UK has “accepted a form of a vassal status.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, meanwhile, said the French side was well aware that, given the rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the French submarines were “not what Australia needed to protect our sovereign interests.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×