 Solution

Put $A=R(k-1,\ell )$, $B=R(k,\ell -1)$ and consider any coloring of $K_{A+B}$. Choose a vertex $v$. Among its $A+B-1$ neighbors, either at least $A$ are joined to it by red edges, or at least $B$ by blue edges.

In the red case, the induced complete graph on those neighbors contains either a red $K_{k-1}$, which joins with $v$ to make a red $K_k$, or a blue $K_{\ell }$. The blue case similarly gives a red $K_k$ or a blue $K_{\ell -1}$ which extends with $v$ to a blue $K_{\ell }$. Hence every coloring has the required configuration, andThis is the Ramsey number recursion.