Zelenskyy says he received positive signals from US over resumption of military aid – Europe live

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Zelenskyy also confirmed Bloomberg’s reports from earlier this week (£) that he could replace the country’s ambassador to the US.

He said he was considering Ukraine’s defence minister, Rustem Umerov, for the job.

He said the new ambassador’s top task will be to strengthen Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s aggression.

Germany prepared to pay for two Patriot systems, Norway for one, Zelenskyy says

Zelenskyy also offered a bit more detail on Ukraine’s plans to get more Patriot missiles from the US, with the help of European allies.

He says there was “a positive dialogue” with US president Trump on the Patriot system.

He says Germany is prepared to pay for two Patriot systems for Ukraine, with Norway offering to pay for another one.

He says other European partners could join when there is more clarity on the costs and details of what’s needed.

On sanctions, he says he counts on the US leadership to implement “tough” measures to disrupt Russia’s ability to continue attacks.

Ukraine gets positive signals on resuming military aid from US, Zelenskyy says

Meanwhile in Rome, Zelenskyy says Ukraine has got “all necessary political signals for military aid resumption” after recent constructive talks with Trump.

He said Ukraine received “a timetable and details of weapons supplies,” Reuters reported.

On Ukraine, Macron also warns that Russia “has never kept to its commitments” since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine, and only adds to an already complex risk landscape with terrorism, maritime, cyber threats.

But he points out that it needs to be recognised that just a few thousands kilometers from France, there is a country that spends 40% of its budget on the military.

The press conference ends with Starmer asked about recognising Palestinian statehood to which he replies it has been Labour’s policy for a long time, but the focus in on getting a ceasefire.

So with that, let’s turn out attention to Rome, where Zelenskyy is speaking.

Zelenskyy speaking to media after Rome conference on Ukraine

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy is also beginning his press conference in Rome now.

You can watch it here:

Separately, it’s worth noting that Macron – again, just like he did in his parliamentary speech on Tuesday – raises the prospect of the UK and France recognising a Palestinian state, saying it was “the only hope for peace” in the region.

One to watch.

Curiously, Macron again switches to English as he picks up a different point from Starmer on irregular migration and clearly wants to send a signal to the UK insisting that “the only way to be efficient is to work together.”

He says the migration crisis is also having an effect on northern France – Calais, Dunkirk and a lot of other cities, a point that he says is underestimated in the UK debate on migration.

He says he hopes the new plan will have a strong deterrence effect and will help resolve the issue.

Macron doubles down on criticism of Brexit, its impact on irregular migration

Macron doubles down on his criticism of Brexit in the Q&A.

He says Britons were “sold a lie that the problem was Europe,” adding it left “a legal black hole,” with resulted in Brexit causing further problems.

He insists the new plans are “pragmatic” and “for the first time in nine years” – that’s since the Brexit referendum in 2016 – are focused on actually solving the problem.

He then puts forward a powerful defence of centrism in politics, saying that most serious issues these days need to resolved by cooperation with others – not by getting stuck in simplistic and nationalistic narratives.

(Starmer says something similar criticising “the performative politics of easy answers” as he takes a swipe at Nigel Farage.)

A reminder that if you need more on UK domestic politics angles, you can read it here:

Despite promises, Brexit makes it more difficult to tackle irregular migration, Macron says

Oh, that’s interesting: Macron also once again – as he did in his parliamentary speech on Tuesday – pointedly criticises Brexit.

He discusses in details various decisions made during today’s meeting, including their agreed on a one in, one out rule.

But then he pointedly says Britain’s withdrawal from the EU makes it even more difficult for both countries to fight illegal migration.

He says:

“Since Brexit, the UK no longer has any migration agreement with EU.

So for people wanting to cross, there is no legal admission, nor a way of sending people back after a crossing.

This is a pull factor to attempt the crossing, exactly the inverse effect of what Brexit promised.”

Macron praises coalition arrangements for Ukraine

Macron also talks about the need to speed up bilateral UK-French cooperation on new generation of missiles and coordination on AI, space and cyberspace and disinformation.

“In a period where our countries are facing hybrid threats, this is a wide ranging toolbox to confront the challenges we are faced with,” he says.

On Ukraine, he talks the two countries share determination to keep supporting Kyiv.

He says the EU’s 18th package of sanctions “is being finalised and the Americans are preparing to impose further sanctions” too.

The French president then turns to the Coalition of the Willing (17:38), saying the arrangements agreed today mean “we will be able to hold this ceasefire and give it credibility in the air, [and] on the sea.”

“We also wish to strengthen our partnership against the Russian shadow fleet and their fight against their avoidance of sanctions,” he adds.

Macron also talk about security issues, stressing that Britain and France have a particular responsibility as the two European countries with nuclear weapons.

He warns that there are growing security risks, with threats coming not only from terrorists, but also with the consequences of a major conflict in Europe.

As part of their response, the two countries will increase the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force to 50,000 troops.

On nuclear, he sends a strong signal, saying:

“We don’t exclude coordinating our nuclear deterrence. This is a message our partners need to hear, and our adversaries, too.”

'While Putin turns back on peace, we are rallying more support for Ukraine,' Starmer says

Starmer begins by discussing all sorts of issues raised during bilateral talks with France, including on migration.

But on Ukraine, he says:

“We have just co chaired a meeting of the coalition of the willing, including representatives from the United States, for the first time.

We announced plans for a new multinational force Ukraine headquartered in Paris, so that we are ready to support a peace deal when it comes.

While Putin turns his back on peace, we are rallying more support for Ukraine right now to defend their people and force Putin to the table.”

Starmer, Macron speaking at conclusion of three-day state visit

Starmer and Macron are now speaking at a press conference together.

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

And for key UK news angles, including on migration in the English Channel, follow our UK live blog here:

'Coalition of the Willing' agrees key parts of post-ceasefire operations, plans to 'step up' support to Ukraine to put pressure on Russia

As we are still waiting for both press conferences, we have just heard from the UK on the Coalition of the Willing’s plans for further help for Ukraine after its leaders met virtually earlier today.

The meeting was joined for the first time by US representatives, including presidential envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg and senator Lindsey Graham.

A 3-star multinational operational headquarters of the coalition will be based in Paris, and will rotate to London after 12 months.

In case of a lasting ceasefire, the new coalition force is expected to help with regenerating and reconstituting Ukraine’s land forces, securing Ukraine’s skies with coalition aircraft delivering air policing, and supporting safer seas, particularly in the Black Sea.

The leaders also “agreed their priority effort must be to focus on Ukraine’s immediate defence in the face of relentless Russian attacks on critical national infrastructure and civilians,” the statement read.

British prime minister Keir Starmer said:

“In the coming days and weeks, we will step up our support to keep Ukraine in the fight now, increasing pressure on Putin through crippling sanctions and ensuring Ukraine’s Armed Forces have the equipment they need to defend their sovereign territory.”

He added:

I am clear that the more we do to counter Russia’s aggression, the safer we will keep the British people, our allies and the Euro-Atlantic area.

Lithuania confirms Gerbera drone crash after flying in from Belarus

In the meantime, we are getting a bit more detail on the unmanned aircraft reported by the Lithuanian authorities earlier (14:04).

Defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė confirmed it was a “Gerbera”, a decoy drone intended to imitate the more dangerous Shahed drones, LRT reported.

She added that there was currently no evidence to confirm if the drone was deliberately sent across the border from Belarus into Lithuania.

Gintautas Ciunis, of the Lithuanian armed forces, confirmed it did not pose a danger, but a more in-depth investigation into the incident was under way.

The aircraft reportedly flew at a low altitude of about 100 meters, at a speed of 50–60 km/h, before falling to the ground, it was reported.

We are also waiting for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s press conference in Rome.

You can watch it with us below, but I will bring you all the key lines here.