The Paris Summit discussed sanctions against Russia / day

« There was a complete clarity that now is not the time to lift sanctions, on the contrary, we discussed how we could increase sanctions to support the US initiative that Russia sits at the negotiating table as a result of further pressure, » said Starmer in a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski.

Zelensky added that everyone understood and realized that today Russia was not wanting any peace.

In a separate briefing, German Chancellor Olaf Sholz said the lifting of sanctions against Russia would be a serious mistake and it made no sense until there is no peace.

« There is no point in lifting sanctions until there is actually peace, and unfortunately we are far from it, » Sholz said.

Zelensky said that no sanctions should be lifted, until Russia would not interfere with this war, and instead should be put on more pressure, to impose more sanctions.

Starmer said he was determined to achieve peace in Ukraine through power, and said Zelensky that Ukraine has « our complete support would be as long as needed ».

He accused Russia of trying to hinder the efforts of peace in Ukraine.

Since Europe wants to support Ukraine after the ceasefire, Starmer said: « We discussed plans for peace and military and operational plans, whether air, land or sea. »

« In the coming days and weeks, we will work on security guarantees, » Zelensky added.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the French and British delegation would go to Ukraine to work on the strengthening of the Ukrainian army.

Macron said he and Starmer would lead the European coalition for Ukraine and that European countries will deploy « securing forces » in Ukraine after the conclusion of the peace treaty, which would « be » discouraged against any possible aggression of Russia « .

According to Macron, there will be several countries in « Security », but not all European allies, as some lack the power they need, while others are restrained because of the political context.

« These security forces are the British -French proposal that Ukraine wants, » Macron said. « It has no consensus, but we do not need consensus to do so, » he added, saying that the France and British delegation will go to Ukraine in the coming days to discuss the issue and the future of the Ukrainian army, stressing the importance of a strong Ukrainian army that is well prepared for the next day.

He said these « security forces » are still planned, but they would not be a peacekeeping forces.

The French leader said that several countries would participate in the forces, but they would not be on the front line, but will be placed in strategic zones.

« We will have a discussion among our military leaders to determine the locations, the amount of power to be placed to be reliable and the capabilities. Nothing is excluded, these collateral forces should not replace peacekeeping forces on the collision line or the strong Ukrainian army, » Macron said.

The « Coalition of Good will » brings together countries who want and are ready to contribute to Ukraine’s support. Its purpose is to provide greater diplomatic, military, financial and political support to Ukraine to achieve fair and persistent peace in Ukraine.

This is another meeting of European leaders hosted by French President Macron after a change of power in the US. The first of them was a narrower circle of politicians and the Baltic States did not participate.