Core Viewpoint - French President Macron attributed the record number of illegal crossings of the English Channel to the UK's "Brexit" decision, highlighting a legal vacuum that encourages such activities [1][2][3]. Group 1: Illegal Immigration and Policy Responses - Approximately 20,000 individuals have crossed the English Channel illegally in the first half of 2025, marking a record high for that period [2]. - The majority of these illegal immigrants originate from Africa and the Middle East, with incidents of capsizing leading to fatalities or disappearances [2]. - Macron and UK Prime Minister Starmer announced a pilot plan to combat illegal immigration, which includes a "one in, one out" agreement for the return of undocumented migrants [3]. Group 2: UK-France Relations Post-Brexit - Macron's visit marks the first by an EU leader to the UK since Brexit, indicating a potential thaw in UK-EU relations [4]. - The UK has seen an increase in net immigration post-Brexit, with illegal immigration numbers rising significantly [4]. - The agreement reached during Macron's visit aims to deter illegal crossings and signals a desire for enhanced cooperation between the UK and France on immigration issues [3][4]. Group 3: Broader Geopolitical Context - The visit included discussions on nuclear deterrence coordination and a virtual summit to provide security assurances for Ukraine, reflecting a strategic alignment between the UK and EU amid shifting global dynamics [6]. - The UK government is keen on re-establishing relations with the EU following the tumultuous Brexit process, as evidenced by the recent summit held in May [4].