Image source, Reuters

In a joint statement released before their arrival, Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Mertz and Donald Tusk said they will "stand in Kyiv in solidarity with Ukraine".

The statement adds that they will be calling for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, first proposed by the US in March, which they say will enable talks to take place for a lasting peace.

"We are ready to support peace talks as soon as possible, to discuss technical implementation of the ceasefire, and prepare for a full peace deal," the leaders say, adding they will "ratchet up pressure" on Russia until it agrees to an enduring ceasefire.

Later in the day, they are scheduled to host a virtual meeting with other leaders. They will provide an update on progress towards what is being called an "international reassurance force", that Number 10 says could "regenerate" Ukraine's armed forces after a possible peace deal.

Ed Habershon
BBC News

Image source, EPA

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has just arrived in Kyiv, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The three leaders arrived by train from Poland after meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Tusk is expected to join them in Kyiv later today.

The leaders are using the visit to urge Russia to "agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire" – a proposal initially made by US President Donald Trump.

Image source, Donald Tusk/X

We've seen an image of the world leaders, who gathered in Rzeszów, Poland, before making their trip to Kyiv.

In a post on X, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk shares an insight into his meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Image source, PA Media

Today's meeting of Ukraine’s allies is not the only high-profile gathering that has taken place this week.

Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted 20 international leaders, including China's Xi Jinping, for Victory Day celebrations in Moscow - an event to commemorate the end of World War Two.

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Nato allies in Norway, where he reiterated the UK's support for Ukraine.

"The message of leaders here is very, very clear, and that is that we're focused on Ukraine," he said.

"And so that's where our absolute focus is - with Ukraine, defending the values that yesterday at VE Day we were remembering and commemorating, that were hard-won in the Second World War."

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent, travelling with the PM

The prime minister is travelling to Ukraine on Saturday alongside fellow world leaders to emphasise Britain’s support for the country in the war against Russia.

Keir Starmer is being joined on the visit by President Macron of France, the Polish prime minister Donald Tusk and Friedrich Merz – who is making his first visit to Ukraine since becoming Germany’s chancellor on Tuesday.

It is Starmer's second visit to Ukraine as prime minister.

The leaders’ decision to travel to Kyiv together is a deliberately symbolic response to the more than 20 leaders who joined President Putin in Moscow for Russia’s Victory Day commemorations on Friday.

The PM and the other leaders are using the visit to urge Russia to “agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire” – a proposal initially made by US President Donald Trump.

They also vowed to “ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine”.

• You can read more from Henry, who is travelling with the PM, in our story