It’s another big day of diplomacy as more than 30 nations meet in Paris to progress with plans on security guarantees for Ukraine after a peace deal with Russia is signed. Sir Keir Starmer is attending the meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing”. Follow the latest here.
Thursday 27 March 2025 07:34, UK
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Russia is preparing for a visit from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year, according to deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko.
In comments carried by state news agency TASS, Rudenko also said Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov was planning on a trip to Pyongyang.
Russia’s relations with Kim Jong Un have grown over the course of the Ukraine war.
Vladimir Putin visited North Korea last summer, with both leaders vowing to come to the other’s aid if attacked.
Kim Jong Un also visited Russia in 2023.
North Korean soldiers have been reported fighting in the Russian region of Kursk, which Ukraine invaded last summer in a stunning incursion.
Emergency services reported a mass Russian drone attack late last night in the northeastern city of Kharkiv.
Nine people were reportedly injured during 12 separate strikes, causing four fires in the city centre and serious damage to buildings.
Pictures show residents taking shelter in a metro station as firefighters tried to contain the damage above.
We’ll hear more from the UK prime minister later today, but we already know what he will say about Vladimir Putin.
In remarks released by Downing Street, he will say: “Unlike President Zelenskyy, Putin has shown he’s not a serious player in these peace talks.
“Playing games with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea despite good faith participation from all sides – all while continuing to inflict devastating attacks on the Ukrainian people.
“His promises are hollow.”
The US is “playing a leading role by convening the ceasefire talks”, he’ll add, and it’s now time for Putin to show he’s “willing to play ball”.
The Ukraine summit in Paris kicks off a little later today, but we have already heard from the French president.
Speaking after a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday, Emmanuel Macron talked about potential peacekeeping plans in Ukraine.
“If there was again a generalised aggression against Ukrainian soil, these armies would be under attack and then it’s our usual framework of engagement,” he said.
“Our soldiers, when they are engaged and deployed, are there to react and respond to the decisions of the commander in chief and, if they are in a conflict situation, to respond to it.”
Watch: Macron tells news conference ‘Ukraine deserves peace’
It’s the third summit of the so-called “coalition of the willing” today, with leaders meeting in Paris to coordinate their stance.
Sir Keir Starmer will join the likes of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, NATO chief Mark Rutte and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is already there, with host Emmanuel Macron vowing support “must go on because it is necessary to continue the resistance”.
To that end, Macron committed to a further €2bn in French military support, while Zelenskyy said other partners could announce aid packages today as well.
We’re expecting leaders to arrive in the next couple of hours, with a news conference at around midday.
We’ll have the latest here.
Welcome back to our coverage of the war in Ukraine.
Today, around 31 nations will be taking part in a summit in Paris to discuss Ukraine and security as part of Sir Keir Starmer’s “coalition of the willing”.
Emmanuel Macron has been driving coalition-building efforts for a Ukraine force with Starmer but it is still far from clear what kind of aid they are preparing that could contribute towards their goal of making any ceasefire with Russia lasting.
Macron is expecting 31 delegations around the table at the presidential Elysee Palace – more than the number for the first meeting in Paris in February.
But the US will not be represented at the talks.
Before we bring you the latest from Paris, here’s what you need to know from yesterday:
That’s all for our coverage for today but we’ll be back tomorrow with more updates on the war in Ukraine.
Earlier, Emmanuel Macron held a news conference with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said France would provide an additional $2bn of military support for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader arrived in Paris ahead of a summit of European leaders on Ukraine and security tomorrow.
Here are the other key developments from today…
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that he expects the US will be able to ensure Vladimir Putin accepts a ceasefire.
“We believe America will be strong enough to lead Putin to accept an unconditional ceasefire,” he says.
It comes after Moscow put forward conditions for a halt on strikes in the Black Sea brokered by Washington.
He also says countries should continue to put pressure on Russia.
Emmanuel Macron says Russia is reinterpreting what was agreed in ceasefire talks.
“I note today Russia is always tempted to reinterpret what we discuss and agree,” he says.
“While saying it wants peace, Russia continues to strike intensely the Ukrainian territory, including civilian targets.
“These strikes we condemn them.”
He also says France will provide an additional $2bn of military support for Ukraine.
The French leader goes on to say Russia cannot dictate the conditions for a lasting peace in Ukraine.
Macron adds that anti-tank missiles, surface-to-air missiles and drones are part of the new military equipment aid to be provided to Kyiv.
“It is about Ukraine,” he adds.
On the question of lifting sanctions on Russia, he says it is “much too early” to lift sanctions.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron are now speaking from Elysee Palace in Paris.
We’ll be bringing you the key updates here – or you can watch live at the top of the page.
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