Starmer 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.
Key events
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Starmer suggests parliament would need to approve deployment of UK troops to Ukraine
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‘We need to see this developing in days and weeks,’ Starmer says
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Starmer calls out Russia’s ‘filibustering’ and ‘playing games’ on ceasefire, peace talks in Ukraine
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Starmer’s press conference begins
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Macron outlines process for checking legal options, helping future Ukraine army, defining Europe-led reassurance force
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Macron challenges Russian ‘untruths’ on Ukraine and its evasive response to ceasefire
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Europe united in condemning Russia, supporting Ukraine, Poland’s Tusk says
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Macron’s press conference starts
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Lifting Russian sanctions would be ‘a serious mistake,’ Germany’s Scholz says
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Starmer says Russia ‘is playing games,’ hints at push for more sanctions
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Paris meeting on Ukraine wraps up
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We need talks, not tariffs, Ireland’s foreign, trade minister says
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‘America is not stepping away,’ UK defence secretary says, dismissing speculation on US giving up Nato’s top military command
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Macron spoke with Trump before Paris summit – media
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Proposal to automatically give babies mother’s surname ignites row in Italy
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German agriculture minister pick withdraws after protests
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Poland suspends right to claim asylum at Belarus border
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Denmark criticises Trump’s ‘escalation’ on Greenland ahead of JD Vance’s visit
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Search for missing US soldiers continues in Lithuania
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Zelenskyy arrives at the Élysée as Paris talks begin
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Élysée arrivals – in pictures
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The stage is set – Élysée Palace
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Putin shows he is not a serious player in peace talks, Starmer warns
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Trump announces 25% tariffs on overseas cars, threatens with further tariffs against EU
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Morning opening: Bienvenue à Paris
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.
