Johnson Asks Macron to Reestablish Cooperation

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday that he wants to reestablish "cooperation" between the two countries following the AUKUS crisis, according to a statement by the Champs-Elysées.

The short statement said that Johnson expressed in the conversation, which the Elysées said came at Johnson's request, his will to reestablish cooperation between France and the UK "in line with our values and common interests," such as securing the Indo-Pacific region, the fight against terrorism, and the battle against climate change, to which Macron replied that "he is awaiting his proposals."

The conversation comes mere days after Johnson asked France to "get a grip" and give its allies in the United States and Australia "a break" over the AUKUS row.

France renewed its criticism of Australia's decision to withdraw from the submarine deal with Paris, expressing that this not only undermines France's trust but all of Europe's as well.

France's Ambassador is set to return to Washington after Macron spoke with US President Joe Biden this week, agreeing to ease tensions.

The Washington Post reported on Thursday that the French Naval group was preparing to fine Australia after it canceled a $66 billion contract, in favor of a secret deal between Canberra, Washington, and London to share nuclear submarine technology and form a tripartite alliance of states.