13:18 GMT
Damian Grammaticas
Political correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesPrime Minister Keir Starmer will this week host a second meeting, expected to be on Saturday, for leaders of countries that may contribute to a “coalition of the willing” for Ukraine, Downing Street has said.
The meeting, led by Starmer, will be a “virtual” one held online. It follows the recent summit he chaired at Lancaster House.
Around 20 countries are believed to have expressed interest in possibly joining the coalition, though it’s understood not all would be willing to send troops to Ukraine.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson told reporters that, beyond European states, “Commonwealth allies” such as Australia were part of the talks, adding “clearly all of those involved discussions are interested in exploring exactly what they’re able to contribute, but, still, discussions are ongoing”.
The spokesperson said the UK Defence Secretary John Healey will also be travelling to Paris this week.
On Tuesday, Healey will, alongside his French counterpart, host a ‘military meeting’ of possible members of the”‘coalition of the willing”.
On Wednesday, Healey will take part in a meeting of defence ministers from E5 countries, the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Poland.