Bruno Waterfield from the Times asks Starmer about the plans for a "reassurance force" for Ukraine, saying that it is not popular with Russia.

He adds that US top envoy Steve Witkoff also called the action of the coalition of the willing "posturing", questioning how important the relationship with the US is.

Starmer says, that the UK and US are talking "all the time" and says that he speaks to Trump regularly.

"There's broad consensus in the US that Europe could, and should, step up - and we are doing that," he says, adding that this is "in the best interests of Europe and the US".

Starmer is being asked how he intends to lead the coalition in conjunction with Macron.

Referencing the French president, he says the "group asked Emmanuel and me to lead the co-ordination of the efforts we have touched on this morning."

He says 30 countries have been involved at the planning meetings. "Different countries are putting forward different capabilities," he says.

He says his leadership with Macron will "keep the momentum going."

"This is a group of countries coming together because each country is taking that leadership role at a crucial moment," he adds.

"This is of course about Ukraine, but it's also about the future of defence in Europe more generally," he adds.

Image source, PA Media

GB News' Chris Hope asks whether MPs would be given a vote on Keir Starmer's plans should Russia and Nato members start to engage in direct conflict.

"We know what Russia wants", the PM responds, adding that this is "a defenceless Ukraine".

He says that "we don't want to get ahead of ourselves" by planning for a vote just yet, as negotiations have not got to that stage.

But, Starmer clarifies that his long-standing position has been that if the UK were to deploy troops then Parliament should have a say.

The next question comes from the BBC's Jeremy Bowen, who asks whether Starmer is describing a different view of the war to the one shared by US President Donald Trump.

Asked if it's time to say a ceasefire will not work, Starmer says he does not agree with the suggestion.

He says Trump wants lasting peace in Ukraine and progress has been made over the last few weeks.

What should be done now, Starmer adds, is more pressure on Russia.

He adds that we need to make sure this is the last time a deal is reached and not breached.

"Everybody wants lasting peace," he says.

Starmer faces a question now from ITV's Harry Horton, who asks what evidence there is of real progress following the latest summit of the "coalition of the willing".

The prime minister responds, saying that "clearly there has been progress, we are resolute on a message of the strength of working together".

He adds that "no one knows if there will be a deal or what that will look like, but there has been political progress in terms of the countries coming together", saying that "Europe has not been this strong and united for a long time".

When asked about the deadline that has been set with his allies, he clarifies that this is for a response from Putin on the ceasefire deal.

He says the Russians have been delaying, adding there has been an equal emphasis today to ensure the collected nations put pressure to get Ukraine to the table.

We need to see developments in "days and weeks" not "months and months", Starmer adds.

• For context, Ukraine and the US proposed a 30-day ceasefire earlier this month, which has not been formally responded to by Moscow.

Image source, PA Media

Starmer is asked how he can rely on the Trump administration to craft a ceasefire deal that works for Europe and Ukraine.

Referring to the coalition of the willing, he says there is a broad consensus that this group of nations are "stronger and broader than they have ever been".

That's the "political momentum," he says. The countries' chiefs of defence will be meeting in Ukraine to decided how to move forward with plans. No more detail has been offered on this.

He adds he doesn't know if a deal will be struck with Russia, but if an agreement is to be reached, the "support and engagement" of the US will be required.

Achieving a just and lasting peace is the coalition of the willing's main goal, Starmer continues.

The prime minister says that the political will from those in attendance was clear. He then raises a meeting of over 200 military planners from 30 countries which took place in London this week as evidence that work is ongoing towards ceasefire plans.

We will be ready to operationalise a peace deal as soon as it takes a precise shape, he says.

Starmer suggests these plans show Europe mobilising together on a scale that hasn't been seen for decades - before adding that peace is vital for both Ukraine and Britain.

Image source, PA Media

Starmer says the coalition of the willing have agreed they must go further to bring about peace in Ukraine.

To achieve this, Starmer says there will be a step up of military pressure, with a meeting held by the defence secretary on 11 April to get more military aid and keep Ukraine in the fight.

"Peace comes through strength", Starmer says, adding that this is one of the main takeaways from today's summit.

He also says there needs to be an increasing of economic pressure on Russia, with new and tougher sanctions, including on energy revenue.

We're now hearing from British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who says that Russia agreed to an energy and infrastructure facilities ceasefire but since then Russia has hit infrastructure in Ukraine, injuring civilians and killing "an innocent family".

This week, Russia agreed to a Black Sea deal which would see a return to trade in the region without attacks from both sides.

But soon after news of the agreement, Starmer says, more conditions were added by Moscow.

Starmer says it's clear that Russia is playing games and playing for time.

"Classic Putin playbook", he says.

Macron is asked how France intends to help bring about an end to the war in Ukraine.

"By focusing on sanctions," he says.

He is confident that if Russia fails to respond to the proposed 30-day ceasefire, the US will "act appropriately and accordingly."

"The US has a number of tools," he adds.

Macron responds to a question from the Spanish media about the extent of support offered by the United States.

The journalist asks for Macron's reaction to comments from US envoy Steve Witkoff that sending troops to Ukraine would be "absurd".

Macron says Europe will hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We have to prepare to act "totally alone" he notes.

The French president suggests therefore that though Europe would like the US to support its efforts, it can't say that it will do nothing if Trump is not on board.

Despite this, he stresses that the US is a "reliable ally" and has been very supportive of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion three years ago.

Image source, Reuters

On frozen Russian assets, Macron says that within the international legal framework the coalition cannot legally transfer their ownership.

He says the assets amount to €230bn, and adds that what has been agreed is that profits from the assets can be used to support Ukraine.

Macron is now being asked for further clarification on the reassurance force - the proposed deployment of troops from European nations to ensure Ukrainian security if a ceasefire is agreed.

He says the Franco-British plans involve the chiefs of staffs from both countries being tasked with putting together a team and meeting Ukrainian counterparts.

Ukraine knows what it needs, he adds, saying that nothing is excluded and they are looking at support for the land, air and sea but nothing has been decided yet.

There will be no substitution for the Ukrainian army, he adds.

The president finishes by saying he and Starmer have been tasked with "steering" the coalition to "secure, sustainable, robust and lasting peace."

He is now taking questions from reporters.

Image source, EPA

Macron then says that each member at today's discussion agreed that Europe needs to reinforce its own defences.

Both within individual member states and at the EU level, this will mean bolstering forces and the capabilities of the defence industry.

Macron says this is in line with the drop in support offered by the United States.

On security guarantees, Macron says a key aspect for Ukraine's security following a ceasefire deal is a strong and well-equipped army.

He says that he and Starmer will give a mandate to their staff to start working with Ukrainian partners to draft a format for the future of its army.

He also commits to the formation of forces ready to deploy once peace is agreed. He says the purpose of the force is not to act on behalf of Ukraine, or on the frontline, but will bring together forces from some of the European allies.

He goes on to explain that in order to guarantee security in Ukraine, they will work to deter future Russian aggression.

Macron says discussions are ongoing on monitoring a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.

Questions hanging in the air include whether the UN should send a peacekeeping force - among other specific details on ensuring Ukraine does not come under Russian attack during a ceasefire.

The foreign affairs ministry has been tasked to come up with a solution in three weeks time.

Image source, EPA

Macron repeats an earlier assertion that "no sanction should be lifted" against Russia, "until peace has been established for good."

He adds France will continue "exerting pressure" on Russia's shadow fleets.

Macron says European allies will continue to support Ukraine's people and its army.

The French president says that the bloc needs to ensure that it is able to counter Russia's plan to pretend to negotiate and then pull the rug from under Ukraine's feet.

He then lists some of Ukraine's specific military requests, and lists some of the support packages that have been offered following today's summit.

"This has been discussed and we have reached unanimity", he says.

Macron begins by reiterating that the European leaders who met in the summit in Paris have a "common view" and "remain united and do everything we can to build peace by force" in Ukraine.

He adds that "ever since the proposal of a 30-day ceasefire, no Russian response has been given. Yet, every day new strikes take place".

Macron commends the US for its efforts to bring peace, adding that he and his allies are determined to make sure that they overlook no potential course to peace from Russia, as evidenced by discussions on the Black Sea deal in Riyadh.