US Vice-President JD Vance has just been speaking at a Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Gloucestershire that hosts US military personnel.

Vance says he spoke to President Trump just before getting on the stage.

He says that Trump told him: "We are going to make it our mission as an administration to bring peace to Europe once again".

The VP says it's impossible to bring peace unless "the bad guys are also worried that we've got a hell of a fine air force and military to back up the peace to begin with."

He thanks the troops at RAF Fairford and says they make it possible for the US administration to do that.

You can hear more of the VP's remarks below.

In a post on X a little earlier, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said "the ball is now in Putin's court" following the call with Trump, Zelensky and other European leaders.

"We are united in pushing to end to this terrible war against [Ukraine] & [achieving] just and lasting peace," he writes.

Rutte has also thanked Trump for his "leadership and close coordination with" Europe.

Virtual talks between European leaders and US President Trump have concluded. Zelensky and Merz then held a joint press conference - but the day's schedule is not over yet.

Next up, the "coalition of the willing" is having a virtual meeting. That meeting, between nations who have committed to support Ukraine, was expected to get underway at 15:30 BST.

We'll be monitoring for further updates right here - stick with us.

Image source, UK pool

The UK's support for Ukraine is "unwavering", a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer says in a statement.

They continue: "All leaders agreed this week marks an important moment for the future of Ukraine."

The leaders on the call thanked US President Trump for his "efforts in bringing Putin to the table in pursuit of a ceasefire to end to the ongoing bloodshed," the spokesperson adds.

Starmer said in the call that "international borders must not be changed by force and Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity as part of any deal".

Europe and the US will continue to work for a "just and lasting peace in Ukraine," the statement adds, and will speak again after the Trump-Putin meeting on Friday.

We have heard some comments from French President Emmanuel Macron, who alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer leads the "coalition of the willing".

Discussing the meetings that have taken place today, Macron says there is "unity" between European leaders and allies within the coalition.

Macron says that the leaders want any issues concerning Ukraine to be discussed with Ukraine at the table.

He adds that there are several messages to take away from the meeting with Trump. Specifically, the US president is hoping to agree a ceasefire during Friday's meeting with Putin in Alaska.

Macron says leaders were "very clear" that any decisions on territory can only be negotiated with Zelensky.

Image source, Reuters

We just followed a brief news conference from the leaders of Germany and Ukraine, after they held talks with other European leaders and US president Trump.

Here's what we heard:

• European countries are doing everything they can to "help set the agenda" for the meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Merz said
• The German chancellor added that it's important Ukraine is at the table in peace discussions - with a ceasefire the first step that is needed
• Merz said Europe and the US will have to put more "pressure" on Putin if movement towards a deal is not made
• Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Germany and "all our partners" who are working towards peace in Ukraine
• The Ukrainian president said that Putin is bluffing and trying to push forward across the frontline
• Trump "supported us today," Zelensky said, adding that the US president will contact him after the meeting with Putin on Friday

A reporter has asked Merz whether Trump agreed to give security guarantees to Ukraine - and will Europe help with this?

Merz responds that he has spoken briefly with Trump about security guarantees, which Ukraine needs.

However, what these guarantees look like was not part of today's conversations and will follow any agreement that is reached.

Zelensky is asked under what conditions he'd be able to talk about swapping territories with Putin.

Zelensky says that success depends on the result of the negotiations. He adds that he's very positive after today's call, adding that Ukraine's partners demonstrated "one voice towards one mission".

He says that he wouldn't call Friday's Putin-Trump meeting a "historical moment", saying he'll wait for a result first.

With that, the press conference ends. Stick with us and we'll bring you a roundup of all the key lines.

Zelensky tells the media that he would like to see further sanctions on Russia if the Kremlin doesn't agree to a ceasefire.

He says "Putin is bluffing, he's trying to trying to push all over the front line", and adds Russia is pretending it can occupy the whole of Ukraine.

He used the meeting today to tell Trump and European leaders that Putin doesn't "want peace", and Zelensky says they understand his position.

"Putin cannot fool us," he adds. The Ukrainian President says Trump has said he will contact Zelensky after his meeting with Putin on Friday.

We're now hearing from Zelensky for the first time since those virtual talks concluded.

He starts by thanking Merz, saying he is "very grateful to Germany" for its military support to Ukraine.

He then extends his thanks to "all our partners", naming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Nato's Mark Rutte, Italian President Giorgia Meloni, and French President Emmanuel Macron, among others.

Leaders from around the world are unified towards reaching "peace in Ukraine", Zelensky says.

He says that "everything about Ukraine has to be discussed with Ukraine - we have to be part of the conversation".

He adds that "Trump supported us today" and the US is ready to continue that support.

Merz says that if there is no movement from Russia towards peace, then Europe and the US will have to put more "pressure" on Putin.

He says that Trump "knows this position and agrees with it". Merz says he had a "good conversation" with Trump about it.

"We wish President Trump all the best," Merz says, adding leaders will speak to Trump after his meeting with Putin.

Image source, Reuters

On Trump's discussions with Putin, Merz says that the US president knows he can rely on his European partners to work towards peace in Ukraine.

Ukraine has to be at the table in peace discussions, he adds.

And, the German chancellor stresses that there must be a proper order to events: firstly, a ceasefire should be agreed, followed by another agreement on long-term peace.

Merz says that a legal recognition of Russian ownership of Ukraine "cannot happen". He emphasises that there must be robust security guarantees, with the sovereignty of Ukraine respected.

Merz says Europeans are doing everything they can to "help set the agenda" for the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

He says he hopes Trump has success at the summit.

European leaders, the US and Nato chief Mark Rutte spoke about the parameters for Friday's meeting, Merz adds.

"In Alaska, security interests of Europe and Ukraine must be protected," Merz tells the news conference, a topic he says was discussed with Trump.

Image source, Reuters

We're now hearing from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who are addressing press following meetings with European leaders and the US president.

Merz begins, saying he is happy to host the Ukrainian president in Berlin.

Today marks 64 years since the Berlin wall was built, Merz says, which was a "symbol of the division of Europe" which Europe was able to overcome.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine "opened up that division again", he says.

Trump will begin discussions with Putin in Alaska about ending the war, Merz says.

Image source, Reuters

The meeting between Trump and European leaders appears to have concluded - French President Emmanuel Macron is currently addressing press alongside European Council President António Costa.

We're expecting a joint news conference from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Volodymyr Zelensky shortly.

Our reporters are monitoring a feed showing rows of press awaiting the address, with EU, Ukrainian and German flags set up behind two podiums.

We'll continue to bring you updates as we get them, and you'll be able to follow along by clicking watch live at the top of this page.

Rachel Flynn
Live reporter

As we wait for word from this afternoon's talks, let's take a look at some reaction to the scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.

Ukrainian refugee Tanya Tymoshenko is not optimistic about this week's talks and says it's "very hard to trust anyone".

"I don't see promises come through. Everyone is just keeping by their side," Tanya, who now lives in Rugby, England, tells me.

Image source, Tanya Tymoshenko

She gives the example of Trump promising to end the war in 24 hours after he took office. "They play political games, it's ridiculous. Kids have lost their childhoods. Millions of Ukrainians live around Europe and don't have any stability at all," Tanya says.

Tanya's parents and elderly grandmother have remained in her hometown Sumy, 20 miles (32km) from the Russian border. Her parents say it's more comfortable to sleep in their own beds.

Her mother calls twice a day, and a few weeks ago found a drone in their back garden, amongst fruit trees and homegrown vegetables. "You never know what's going to happen," Tanya says.

She came to the UK in July 2022, after Russia's full-scale invasion started that February. "After occupation it became harder, you could feel war in the air, you could see war everywhere," Tanya says.

Image source, Reuters

We've just heard from a spokesperson for the UK prime minister, who confirmed Keir Starmer spoke to Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof earlier.

The pair discussed "support for Ukraine and the ongoing work to end Russia's barbaric war" and agreed there "should be no decisions about the future of Ukraine without Ukraine".

"They looked forward to discussing further in this afternoon's meetings alongside President Trump and President Zelenskyy," the spokesman says.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, Reuters

We're now seeing pictures of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attending today's meeting.

They're seated together after Zelensky flew in to Berlin this morning.

Also on the line is French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as other European leaders.

We'll keep you posted on further updates from the meeting right here.

Danny Aeberhard
Europe analyst, BBC World Service

Image source, EPA

This is a deeply unsettling moment for Ukraine and its European allies.

They repeatedly praise President Trump's efforts to find a ceasefire; but fear what his upcoming summit with Putin could yield.

They seem determined to stress that - while sidelined from the summit itself - they cannot be sidelined in a ceasefire or peace process. Amid rather nebulous talk from Trump about 'land swaps' - for which read conceding Ukrainian territory to Russia - the leaders will stress the importance of protecting transatlantic security and not allowing Ukraine's international borders to be changed by force.

The White House has billed the Alaska summit as a listening exercise to hear what Putin proposes.

Nervous they might be, but Ukraine and its European allies hope they still have Donald Trump's ear.

Image source, EPA

We've just seen images of Emmanuel Macron speaking at his desk in today's virtual meeting.

European leaders - including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - are expected to be in attendance on the call.

Later on, Donald Trump and his Vice-President JD Vance will join the discussions.

We'll bring you any details on the talks as soon as we hear more.

Image source, Getty Images

Ahead of this afternoon’s meeting between leaders in Europe, Donald Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been speaking about the president’s meeting with Putin this weekend.

He tells Bloomsberg TV that “everyone has been frustrated with Putin”, but suggests that now “it looks like he may be ready to negotiate”.

“The president is the best at creating leverage for himself, and he will make it clear to president Putin that all options are on the table,” he explains.

But, Bessent warns that if talks don’t go as planned, “then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up".

And he reiterates that Europe needs to be willing to also put secondary sanctions on Russia.

“We need the Europeans to come in and help create more leverage,” he explains.