Keir Starmer hints at push for more sanctions on Russia after ‘coalition of the willing’ talks on Ukraine – Europe live | Ukraine

Key events

Starmer suggests parliament would need to approve deployment of UK troops to Ukraine

Starmer rejects criticism from Russia, saying it cannot guide Europeans in what they want to achieve.

He also gets a question on whether his plans for deploying supporting forces in Ukraine would require a vote in parliament, replying “we are not at that stage.”

But he goes on to say:

We are at the stage of turning the political momentum into operational plans, looking at the various options, and then going for the next piece of work with the Chiefs of Defence.

But you know my longstanding position, which is, if we were to deploy in any scenario on a long term basis, then of course, parliament should have a say in that.

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Starmer is also asked about whether it is realistic to push for a ceasefire, or whether the focus should be on putting Ukraine in a position to enable them to make more progress in countering Russia.

He says that president Trump was “absolutely clear” that he wants a lasting peace in Ukraine, and that is the focus.

But what is different, he says, that Europeans are willing to step in and “answer the question, if there’s a deal this time, why will it hold in the way that the deals in the past have not held?”.

He stresses the importance of political leadership that shows “the strongest Europe in a very long time.”

“If we can provide that leadership backed up by operational plans, then that is the best chance, in my view, of achieving the outcome that we all want,” he says.

Share‘We need to see this developing in days and weeks,’ Starmer says

Starmer gets asked about what he sees as the deadline for this operation.

He says:

“I don’t want to put a hard deadline on this, but we need to see this developing in days and weeks, not months and months, and we need to move on to that space.”

He says the focus is on continuing to put more pressure on Russia “to get to the table, to actually negotiate, and be really clear that they are filibustering, they are delaying, and we have seen this playbook before.”

He says that the key task will be to “be ready to operationalise a peace deal whatever its precise shape turns out to be.”

ShareStarmer calls out Russia’s ‘filibustering’ and ‘playing games’ on ceasefire, peace talks in Ukraine

Starmer opens his press conference by calling out Russia that “over two weeks since Ukraine agreed to an immediate, 30-day ceasefire, that offer is still unanswered” by Russia, with continuing bombardment of Ukraine.

He said that on the Black Sea initiative, Russia “set out new conditions and delays,” saying US president Trump “rightly called them out for dragging their feet.”

He goes on to say:

“We agreed here in Paris today that it’s clear the Russians are filibustering. They are playing games and they’re playing for time.

It is a classic from the Putin playbook, but we can’t let them drag this out while they continue prosecuting their illegal invasion.”

Building up on what Macron said earlier, Starmer says UK defence secretary will chair the new Ukraine defence contact group meeting on 11 April “to marshal more military aid and keep Ukraine in the fight.”

He also confirms plans for French, British and German chiefs of defence to go to Kyiv to discuss how to support Ukraine army in the future.

He sums up today’s meeting:

“This is Europe mobilising together behind the peace process on a scale that we haven’t seen for decades, backed by partners from around the world.

We are determined to deliver a just and lasting peace because we know that it is vital for Ukraine and Europe as a whole, and I am clear that it’s also vital for Britain.

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Updated at 10.10 EDT

Starmer’s press conference begins

UK prime minister Keir Starmer is also talking now.

You can watch it below and I will bring you the key lines here.

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Macron is also asked about Trump’s move on tariffs, as he says he told the US president it was not a good idea and that it goes against Trump’s own demands that Europeans spend more on defence.

He says Europe will have to respond, and laments the uncertainty it creates for businesses, promising to work with the EU to look at how to protect key sectors.

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Among other questions, Macron gets asked about Steve Witkoff’s criticism of a proposal to involve European forces, saying his focus is on what Europe can do to itself.

He says “we must hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,” hoping the US would join a European reassurance force, but equally know what to do if that is not the case.

He stresses that the US is a “reliable” ally as he repeatedly praises president Trump’s initiative and will to end this conflict, and declines to comment on what others said on TV shows.

But he acknowledges that US and French positions may differ at times, but stresses that Europe needs to be able to defend its own interests.

Macron also says he will speak to Trump again in the coming hours, as he says that if Russia doesn’t agree to the US proposal for a ceasefire, that will give the US an idea on what’s Moscow’s true position.

ShareMacron outlines process for checking legal options, helping future Ukraine army, defining Europe-led reassurance force

Macron says the countries agreed to continue to support Ukraine to put it in the best possible position, as he calls out Russia once again for pretending to be involved in talks while intensifying attacks on Ukraine.

He says a number of countries involved made further commitments of aid to Ukraine, including the French announcement of €2bn aid last night.

He also joins other leaders in saying “the time is not right for the lifting of sanctions,” as there needs to be a final peace settlement before that can happen.

He says that the participating countries agreed to maintain and increase pressure, including on Russia’s shadow fleet.

Macron says foreign ministers were tasked with looking at specific legal questions over any forces supporting a ceasefire, and told to report back in three weeks.

He also notes there is currently no unanimity on sending a European-led reassurance force, although he adds it is not needed to go ahead with it.

But he says there is a broader agreement that any future security guarantees need to be based on three pillars:

a strong Ukrainian army, with a joint Franco-British mission set to go to Kyiv to scout needs and what can be done to support its future army;

a reassurance force, which he says would not be stationed at the conflict line, but offering support in “strategic” areas;

and a broader push to rearm Europe and to represent European view, including its demands in any peace talks, reflecting Russian advances in recent years, including its deployment of additional forces in Belarus.

He says the work will continue with himself and Starmer given a mandate to keep the momentum of the group.

ShareMacron challenges Russian ‘untruths’ on Ukraine and its evasive response to ceasefire

French president Emmanuel Macron says he welcomes the role of US president Donald Trump in running the peace talks, stressing they are “in constant contact,” and hails the courage of Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He says the coalition’s objective is clear: “fundamentally, to win peace, and to do this, we must place Ukraine in the best possible position to negotiate and ensure that the peace that will be negotiated will be solid and lasting.”

He directly challenges Russia for not signing up to the proposed ceasefire and floating new conditions; he also criticises “stories and untruths” coming from Moscow.

ShareEurope united in condemning Russia, supporting Ukraine, Poland’s Tusk says

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said that the talks looked beyond Ukraine, but also at the security of entire continent.

He said the meeting showed “very positive changes” in Europe over the last few years, with countries united in condemning the Russian aggression and stressing the need to keep supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk arrives for a summit for “coalition of the willing” at the Élysée Palace, in Paris. Photograph: Blondet Eliot/ABACA/REX/Shutterstock

He also said the participants expressed “identical position” on the need to keep sanctions on Russia and on “the necessary effort to try to keep our relations with the US as good as possible, even if the circumstances are not always favourable.”

“We are all aware that Nato, Europe, we are safer when that cooperation with the US is at the highest possible level,” he said.

Tusk also said that the group of countries that met in Paris will also look at ways to circumvent potential stumbling blocks in its response to the crisis, like Hungary’s continuing opposition to sanctions on Russia.

ShareMacron’s press conference starts

French president Emmanuel Macron is starting his press conference after the Paris summit right now.

You can watch it with us (in French), but I will bring you all the key lines in the blog.

ShareLifting Russian sanctions would be ‘a serious mistake,’ Germany’s Scholz says

Outgoing German chancellor Olaf Scholz said in his press briefing that there was continued support for Ukraine, as he urged Russia to accept the ceasefire offer on the table.

Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses a press conference on the sidelines of a summit in support of Ukraine, at the German embassy with the Eiffel Tower in the background in Paris. Photograph: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images

He criticised Moscow for “always adding” conditions to what is discussed, making him conclude that Russia “is not currently interested in real peace.”

Scholz also warned that removing sanctions from Russia “would be a serious mistake,” as he called for them to be maintained and tightened.

“It makes no sense to end the sanctions before the peace has actually been achieved,” he said, adding “unfortunately, we are still quite far from that.”

ShareStarmer says Russia ‘is playing games,’ hints at push for more sanctions

In his comments, Starmer said it was a “very constructive” meeting.

There was absolute clarity that Russia is trying to delay [peace], is playing games, and we have to be absolutely clear about that.

He says the leaders agreed that there was need for more support for Ukraine “to make sure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, both now and in further negotiations.”

Starmer also says there was “complete clarity that now is not the time for lifting of sanctions.”

“Quite the contrary, what we discussed is how we can increase sanctions to support the US initiative, to bring Russia to the table through further pressure from this group of countries,” he said.

He says the meeting also discussed further its “military and operational” plans to support any ceasefire and peace in Ukraine, “whether on land, in the air or at sea.”

“What came out was strong from the meeting was so many countries standing, as they’ve stood for over three years now, with Ukraine in this crucial moment for as long as it takes for,” he said.

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Starmer and Zelenskyy are now giving their quick reactions to the meeting.

Starmer stresses that now is not the time for lifting sanctions against Russia.

Zelenskyy adds it is important for countries to speak “common voice” and to “push Russia” further.

He says “everybody understood and understands that Russia, today, doesn’t want any kind of peace,” as he adds that there will be further work on security guarantees for Ukraine “in the closest weeks and days.”

And that’s it – but I think we’re expecting a more formal press conference with Starmer later.

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Updated at 09.02 EDT