Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer agree to send officials to Ukraine to put in place plans for after a peace deal is agreed – and are discussing a “reassurance force”. It comes after Moscow warned the UK and France are risking a direct clash between Russia and NATO. Follow the latest here.
Thursday 27 March 2025 16:26, UK
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As the news conference enters its final stages, Volodomyr Zelenskyy speaks about Moscow’s refusal to accept the ceasefire plan put forward by the US – one which Ukraine had agreed to.
He first appears to implicitly criticise Washington’s response to that development, saying: “The Russians didn’t accept the unconditional ceasefire.
“In my opinion, I believe that after that, [US] sanctions should have been introduced”
However, in a shift presumably driven by a desire to avoid antagonising Donald Trump again, he quickly says: “Okay, let’s just make a pause and not just go on and advise America what to do. They have their own people who can advise, but nonetheless the Russians have not accepted it.”
The news conference has now wrapped up.
The Ukrainian leader is now asked if he can trust the Americans.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy in response says he has not really succeeded in pressuring the US for the production of patriot missiles.
“It’s hard to explain to those who live in a different dimension,” he says.
Discussing the realities of leading a nation at war, he says: “Compared to the country at war, the entire world lives at a very slow pace.”
He then casts his attention to Steve Witkoff, US special envoy to the Middle East.
“He says things and it sounds like he says it for us. They look abstract.
“This is from another world. For us, these people are from another planet.”
He goes on to say “this is not an accusation of somebody”.
“We just live in different realities, in different worlds,” he adds.
An interesting line from the Ukrainian leader now.
“We have agreed that Europe will be represented by France and Britain – Starmer and Macron,” he says.
He says this is important.
“This is a clear position and we would like to send this signal,” he says, adding it “undoubtedly” be heard by the US.
He doesn’t expand on exactly he meant by that.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now answering a question on the British-Franco mission and what the agreement includes.
Earlier, Emmanuel Macron announced that a “reassurance force” in Ukraine will act as a security guarantee and be deployed the day after a peace deal.
The idea was a British and French one at the request of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader does not go into detail about what this includes but he says there are “a lot of proposals” from leaders.
He says: “There are a number of countries who are prepared – either through the air or with boots on the ground – to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.
“There are more countries like that and it is good news.”
He says there will be a meeting regarding a British-Franco mission and then they will be able to start this dialogue in a more “material fashion”.
The Ukrainian president is now asked about the minerals deal with Donald Trump – specifically whether it’s now more attractive to Kyiv and whether he would venture back to the US to sign it.
A reminder that Zelenskyy’s infamous White House clash with Trump and his vice president JD Vance took place hours before the deal was meant to be signed. Zelenskyy left the White House before it was.
“I’m not going to go to Washington because there’s no issue on the agenda,” he says.
On the deal itself, he says “we have a lot of these agreements about the minerals” and that the US would send a final draft later.
He also says Washington is “constantly” changing the terms.
He’s keen to point out to the American public that he wants a good relationship with Washington.
“But I wouldn’t like to leave the United States with the feeling that Ukraine is against them in general, because we have shown constantly [that we’re] sending positive signals.”
“We are in favour of the cooperation with the United States of America.”
Asked if the US is a weak ally, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the US is “very important”.
He says the decisions they make today “can impact in real terms the end of the war”.
The Ukrainian president says Russia is “dividing” Europe and the US.
“We want America to be stronger,” he adds.
“We need that.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now offering his thoughts – shortly after Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer.
“We had a very good bilateral meeting, and it was very important for us, for Ukrainians, for me personally,” he says.
He says the coalition discussed more aid for Ukraine and security guarantees.
He hails the US, the UK and France as “accelerators” of the peace process.
Zelenskyy also says he’s very pleased with a united European agreement not to lift sanctions on Russia.
We’ve just heard from Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where world leaders have been gathering.
Now, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is speaking.
You can watch live in the video below or the stream at the top of the page – we’ll also share relevant updates here.
The EU is reportedly insisting on securing a deal on access to British fishing waters ahead of any defence agreement.
Asked if this is not “insane”, Sir Keir Starmer says: “I’m going to resist the temptation to start talking about fish, because I don’t think a running commentary has helped in the past on any of these matters.”
He says relations with Europe are “very much stronger now than they’ve been for some considerable period”.
“We are looking to reset our relationship with the EU,” he adds.
“I think there is a better, closer deal to be done on trade, on defence and on security, on issues like energy.
“We’re working hard at that with the EU.”
But he says his “strong view” is that the best chance of getting a reset that works for both the UK and the EU is “not to engage in negotiations and discussions” through press conferences.
The news conference has now been wrapped up.
Sir Keir Starmer is now asked about how he views the “reassurance” force outlined by Emmanuel Macron a short time ago (see 13.44 post).
“The group of countries asked Emmanuel and me to lead the coordination, of the efforts,” he begins.
“This is a force designed to deter, in order to send that message to Putin that this is a deal that is going to be defended – that’s the best description of it.”
There’s a catch, though, that Macron did not mention.
“This is done in recognition that we also need US involvement,” he says.
He refuses to go into detail as to which countries have expressed that they are keen to contribute and how, but does say the coalition has “200 planners from 30 countries”.
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