Summary

Media caption,

Watch: There must be a US backstop to deter Russia - Starmer

  1. European leaders gathered in Paris as US-Russia talks due to beginpublished at 21:09 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    We're wrapping up our live coverage for now.

    But before we go here's a reminder of what happened today, as European leaders met in Paris for an emergency summit on Ukraine, ahead of US-Russia talks:

    • French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the leaders of the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands, alongside top EU representatives and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte
    • Afterwards, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Europe must "play its role", but that any future security guarantee for Ukraine would require a "US backstop"
    • Despite the last-minute nature of the talks in Paris, Starmer also said "recent statements by the US administration should not come as a surprise" and that Europe will need to "take responsibility" for its security
    • Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said afterwards that there there should be no decisions made without Ukraine and Europe, and described it as a new stage of transatlantic relations - before the meeting he urged other European leaders to immediately boost defences
    • Also today, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, ahead of discussions about Ukraine with Russian officials on Tuesday
    • Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who will be at the talks tomorrow, says Europe should have no role in the negotiations
    • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is not involved in the US-Russia talks

    Further reading: Starmer says US 'backstop' needed for Ukraine peace deal

    We'll be back tomorrow to bring you the latest from the US talks with Russia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    Join us then.

  2. Ukrainecast: What would a European force in Ukraine look like?published at 21:03 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    A BBC Ukrainecast graphic, which gives the name of the podcast and shows the colours of the Russian and Ukrainian flags

    UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is prepared to send UK peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if there is a lasting peace deal but he refused to talk specifics when asked a little earlier.

    Fortunately for us, we've got the next best thing - Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko were joined by Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute think-tank, to discuss this question on Ukrainecast.

  3. Starmer's advisers say he's well placed to be bridge between US and EUpublished at 20:56 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Joe Pike
    Political correspondent

    Today’s meeting in Paris overran by 90 minutes. We have not been told why.

    President Macron decided the summit should be ‘leaders only’ throughout - no diplomats or advisers were allowed in the room.

    I’m told Sir Keir Starmer offered to host a follow up meeting of European leaders. This is expected after he travels to Washington next week to meet US President Trump.

    The UK prime minister is keen to play a leadership role in Europe’s response to Ukraine.

    His advisers say he is perfectly placed to act as a bridge between the US and EU. It is unclear what Donald Trump thinks of that proposal.

  4. Will the US leave Nato? Listen to the latest Americastpublished at 20:50 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Marianna and Sarah join Matt Chorley to talk about the changing relationship between the US and NATO under the new Trump administration.

    WE also talk to 5 Live listeners about Project 2025, the state of the US media, and how the Democrats are resisting Trump this time around.

    The logo for BBC's Americast podcast. It shows an American flag with the word Americast printed in red on the middle stripe
  5. US aid to Ukraine in contextpublished at 20:43 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    BBC Visual Journalism Team

    Europe has relied on billions of dollars of US aid to help Ukraine.

    When measured as a share of total wealth, however, the sum of US aid to Ukraine is comparatively low compared to many allies.

    Washington’s contributions account for 0.5% of its GDP.

    Some of Ukraine’s smaller allies including Denmark and Baltic states bordering Russia - Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia – in contrast are committing more than 1% of GDP to the war - a far bigger proportion of their overall wealth.

    The UK and Germany have also contributed up to 0.5% of their GDP to support Ukraine, and countries like Spain and Italy allocated only 0.1% of their wealth.

    A bar chart showing how much international aid has been sent to Ukraine since the start of the war from a list of different countries
  6. What key players want from Ukraine war talkspublished at 20:33 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    A Ukrainian soldier holding what appears to be a rifle attends combat drills outside of the Pokrovsk, Ukraine on February 13, 2025Image source, Getty Images

    This could prove a defining week for the war in Ukraine, with two sets of hastily arranged talks taking place in Paris and Riyadh.

    European leaders gathered in France on Monday as they scramble for a response to Donald Trump's plan to open negotiations with Vladimir Putin for an end to the conflict.

    On Tuesday Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio are due to meet in the Saudi capital.

    Ukraine is not attending either set of talks.

    Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently controls more than a fifth of its territory, mainly in the south and east.

  7. What did European leaders say after the Paris meeting?published at 20:24 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Headshot of Tusk speaking, he wears a suit and stands in front of flagsImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Donald Tusk speaks to reporters after an emergency summit in Paris

    European leaders have been speaking after their meeting today in Paris over the future of Ukraine.

    Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says there should be no decisions made without Ukraine and Europe, and described it as a new stage of transatlantic relations.

    The war in Ukraine must not spread to other countries, the Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen says.

    She warns that a fast ceasefire could give Russia the chance to remobilise and attack Ukraine or another European country.

    The EU's President Ursula von der Leyen says the talks "reaffirmed that Ukraine deserves peace through strength".

    "Europe carries its full share of the military assistance to Ukraine. At the same time we need a surge in defence in Europe," she says.

  8. Analysis

    Europe's leaders wants to show unity over Ukrainepublished at 20:09 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Liza Fokht
    BBC Russian service, reporting from Paris

    Antonio Costa, Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen smile as a their picture is takenImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    European Council President Antonio Costa (L) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (R) were among leaders at the summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris

    European leaders gathered in Paris today to present a united front and prove to both Washington and Moscow that they deserve a seat at the table in negotiations over the future of Ukraine and their own continent.

    We don’t know what was discussed behind closed doors, but early reports suggest that Europe remains divided on key security guarantees for Ukraine – including the possibility of sending peacekeepers if a ceasefire is reached.

    This only strengthens Russia’s position, as it is clearly determined to negotiate Ukraine’s fate without any involvement from European capitals.

    If European leaders want to convince Russia's Vladimir Putin that they deserve to be equal participants in discussions about the war in Ukraine, they are going to have to show they won’t abandon Kyiv, whatever the US decides.

  9. Five things you need to know about the latest in Ukrainepublished at 19:53 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    It's evening now in Paris, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine, three of the places that have been key in today's development's on the war in Ukraine.

    1. European leaders, including from the UK, Germany and EU, attended a meeting in Paris today organised by French President Emmanuel Macron, to discuss the conflict
    2. After the meeting, the UK's prime minister said the US security guarantee is needed to stop a war restarting if they get it to end. He adds the future of Europe is at stake
    3. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ahead of talks with Russian officials on Tuesday
    4. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be in Saudi Arabia later this week, but says he isn't involved in the US-Russia talks
    5. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who will be at the talks tomorrow, says Europe should have no role in ending the war in Ukraine
  10. Prime minister questioned about willingness to put British troops in Ukrainepublished at 19:31 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Starmer is also asked about his remarks that he would be willing to send UK peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, including if there had been any planning on how many troops would be needed and what their role would be.

    "I think we're getting ahead of ourselves here," Starmer says, saying discussions haven't even started yet and goes on to speak about the need for a lasting peace.

  11. Security guarantees must have 'US backing' - Starmerpublished at 19:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Following his statement, Starmer is taking questions from the media.

    The prime minister is asked if the US has undermined the UK, Europe and Ukraine by unilaterally starting talks with Russia.

    Starmer says the US wants lasting peace, which is what the UK, European allies and Ukraine want.

    He adds it is important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position if talks begin or if fighting continues. He also reiterates the need for a "US backstop".

    Starmer says security guarantees "must be part of a package with US backing because otherwise I don't think they will operate effectively as guarantees because they won't be an effective deterrence".

    Asked what the US backstop means, Starmer says the discussions are in the very early stages and goes on to speak about the principle of "peace through strength".

  12. 'There must be a US backstop', says Starmerpublished at 19:16 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February
    Breaking

    Media caption,

    'Europe must have a secure future' - Starmer

    We can now bring you further comments from Keir Starmer who says there must be a "US backstop" after peace is secured in Ukraine.

    Starmer says this is because a "US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again".

    Starmer says he will go to Washington next week to meet Trump and discuss "what we see as the key elements of a lasting peace".

    He says "we envisage a further meeting with European colleagues when I return from the US", and he will speak to Zelensky in the coming days.

    "We have to recognise the new era that we are in, not cling hopelessly to the comforts of the past. It's time for us to take responsibility for our security, for our continent," he says, adding he's made it clear Britain will take a "leading responsibility".

    On Ukraine "we're at the very early stage of the process", he says, adding "Europe must play its role", reiterating he's willing to consider committing UK forces on the ground alongside others if there is a lasting peace agreement.

  13. Keir Starmer speaks after emergency summit in Parispublished at 19:10 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February
    Breaking

    Keir Starmer speaking in front of a Union Jack flagImage source, UK Pool

    UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been speaking to broadcasters after European leaders attended an emergency summit about Ukraine in Paris.

    He says "at stake is not just the future of Ukraine, it is an existential question for Europe as a whole" and so vital for Britain's national interest.

    This is a once in a generation moment for the collective security of Europe, he says, adding only a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its sovereignty will deter Putin from further aggression in the future.

    Recent statements by the US administration should not come as a surprise, he says, adding President Trump has long expressed the wish for Europe to step up and meet the demands of its own security and that he wants to get a lasting peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

    Today's meeting was a "vital first step in responding to that challenge", Starmer says.

  14. European leaders leave emergency summit in Parispublished at 19:03 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    We can now bring you the latest images from Paris as European leaders leave the emergency summit on the war in Ukraine at the Elysee Palace.

    Stick with us as we bring you the latest.

    Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wears a white coat and enters a black car.Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni leaves following a meeting with European leaders on Ukraine

    Keir Starmer wears a black suit and green tie outside the Elysee Palace.Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Earlier the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was ready to send troops to Ukraine as a "security guarantee"

    French President Emmanuel Macron (right) walks with Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen as she leaves the meetingImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    French President Emmanuel Macron (right) walks with Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen as she leaves the summit in Paris

  15. 'Zelensky is down, Europe is out' - Russian state TVpublished at 18:55 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Vitaliy Shevchenko
    BBC Monitoring's Russia editor

    A screenshot of a TV show with a presenter stood wearing a suit in a TV studio with a picture of Zelensky on a big screen behind himImage source, Rossiya 1

    Russian state TV is overjoyed with how things are going.

    "Zelensky is down, Europe is out,” says the presenter of the flagship weekly news review programme on Rossiya 1, as the caption next to Zelensky’s photo says: “He’s toxic”.

    Over on the 60 Minutes talk show, commentator Nikolai Starikov admits his wildest dreams have been surpassed: “Things are moving so fast that yesterday’s biggest optimists now look like pessimists now.”

  16. BBC Verify

    Krasnodar bears brunt of Ukraine retaliationpublished at 18:44 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    By Richard Irvine-Brown

    Following the damage seen in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, on Sunday,videos appearing overnight into Monday morning have shown destruction in the Krasnodar region of Russia.

    Two videos we have verified show the premises of a construction company on fire on the E97 road into Dzhugba, 115km up the coast from Sochi, Russia.

    There are further reports, across Ukrainian and Russian media, that the oil refinery at Il’skii and the pumping station near Kropotkin, both in Krasnodar, have been struck.

    We are reviewing images of both and the potential disruption to the Caspian oil pipeline. At present, one video filmed over the rooftops on the outskirts of Il'skii certainly shows an explosion in the centre of the town and not the refinery about 4km to the east.

    An explosionImage source, Telegram
    Image caption,

    Construction company premises on fire, Dzhugba, Krasnodar, Russia, overnight

  17. BBC Verify

    Attacks on Ukraine continuepublished at 18:32 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    A thermal image of an explosionImage source, Telegram
    Image caption,

    One of two explosions at a Mykolaiv power plant, shown in overnight drone footage

    By Richard Irvine-Brown

    On Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said damage from a strike by a Russian Shahed drone would leave 100,000 people in the city of Mykolaiv without heating.

    Footage shared by Radio Liberty - a US government-funded organisation which broadcasts news in areas of the world where free press may be restricted - showed extensive damage to many shops and apartments.

    We have verified that it was filmed along Mykolaiv‘s Central Avenue and first published yesterday.

    Meanwhile, night-vision drone footage shared on Russian Telegram showed explosions and fires which we have pinpointed to the Mykolaiv Central Heating and Power Plant.

    However, a post by the former deputy prosecutor general of Ukraine regarding the incident included an image of a damaged industrial interior, which was first used 10 months ago by several news outlets and taken at an undisclosed location.

  18. How much aid has the US given to Ukraine?published at 18:22 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Kumar Malhotra
    BBC Verify

    The US accounts for nearly 43% of all aid allocated to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, external. This amounts to about $120bn and includes all humanitarian, financial and military aid.

    Europe as a whole has sent more aid to Ukraine than the US.

    Funding through EU institutions accounted for just over 18%, with the largest amounts of additional bilateral aid provided by Germany (6.5%) and the UK (5.5%) up to the end of 2024.

    Looking at just military support for Ukraine, the US once again dominates funding, providing 49.4% of all spending since January 2022.

    Germany provided nearly 10% and the UK has given nearly 8% up to the end of December 2024.

    A pie chart showing the percentage of total government support to Ukraine - Japan is 3.9% , Germany is 6.5% , UK is 5.5%, US is 42.7%, other countries is 23.1% and EU is 18.3%. A note is made that government support is made up of financial, humanitarian and military donations. The source is the Kiel Institute Jan 2022-Dec 2024.
  19. Analysis

    Europe expected America-first agenda, but it's struggling to keep uppublished at 18:10 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    Danny Aeberhard
    Europe regional editor, BBC World Service

    Von Der Leyen at a podium at the Munich Security Conference.Image source, Getty Images

    Ursula von der Leyen wants an immediate shift in both mindset and defence preparedness from European powers - but, even that might be too slow.

    Europe expected a more aggressive, America-first stance from the Trump administration. But it's struggling to catch up with the extent of this, and Washington's apparent willingness to reach compromises with Russia about Ukraine, regardless of the impact on Europe's security.

    Affronted, European nations might like to push back. Not doing so may pose a risk of having to swallow an indigestible - possibly unsustainable - peace that they then might have to enforce.

    Pushing back too hard, though, risks turning fissures in the transatlantic alliance into a wider rupture.

    And Europe's leverage is limited, with relatively constrained military capacity, after decades of relying on America's security umbrella.

  20. Watch: Macron welcomes leaders in Paris ahead of Ukraine summitpublished at 17:55 Greenwich Mean Time 17 February

    We can now bring you footage from earlier today when European leaders convened in Paris to discuss the war in Ukraine.

    French President Emmanuel Macron, who called for the emergency summit, welcomed the leaders at the Elysee Palace as US and Russian officials are set to meet in Riyadh on Tuesday.

    It appears the meeting has now ended and we'll bring you the latest comments from European leaders as soon as we get them.

    Media caption,

    Watch: European leaders arrive at Elysee Palace for Ukraine summit