what does "stand by" mean in this context?

Despite the situation in Germany, France and Great Britain **stood by their demands**. If the Germans didn't sign the peace treaty, their armies were ready to fight, and so the war threatened to begin again. The context is, after WWI, Germany surrended but hasn't signed the peace treaty yet. I have feeling that it means France and UK insists their demands of ending the war and they won't compromise. But I'm not sure, because dictionary says it's more like France and UK stand and do nothing to prevent the riot from getting worse. Which is proper? Thank you in advance. https://preview.redd.it/2ej7dfx7ypbe1.png?width=1630&format=png&auto=webp&s=f6fde3f7b884c1f0f6c404ed638f5e866747b091 If you're interested, more information is below. Hunger was also a means of exerting pressure during the negotiations in Paris. As the Germans didn't sign the peace treaty, no cargo ships were allowed into German ports. Because of this, people in Germany didn't have enough to eat. The hardest hit were the children. They had to beg for bread and soup. Rations were handed out to the poorest, but most Germans starved. For people in Germany, things were going from bad to worse. Workers and soldiers started to protest. There was rioting and fighting in the streets. People were being killed again. The German government was afraid and begged the British to end their naval blockade. They said there was no reason to fear the German army. The real danger was that there would be a revolution like in Russia. Despite the situation in Germany, France and Great Britain **stood by their demands**. If the Germans didn't sign the peace treaty, their armies were ready to fight, and so the war threatened to begin again.