Top European leaders declared that "this is not the time" to start lifting sanctions against Russia, during a summit in Paris where they noted Moscow's reluctance to respond to a US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron said there was currently no unanimity among all participants in the Paris summit on sending a European-led security force to Ukraine.
Macron outlined the structure of a future security guarantee proposed by the "coalition of the willing," with further support for the Ukrainian army, a security force stationed away from the front lines but providing support in "strategic" areas, and a broader push to rearm and better coordinate among participating countries.
The French president said Europe must prepare for any scenario, including one where its security initiative is not supported by the US, but he seemed to repeatedly suggest that US President Donald Trump might change his mind once it becomes clear that Russia is not engaging with his plans in good faith.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed plans for the chiefs of the French, British and German armies to travel to Kiev to help plan support for the future Ukrainian army, as part of a wider push to provide security for the country, and a new meeting of the Ukraine defence contact group "for more military assistance and to keep Ukraine at war".
Starmer also stated that Russia is "playing games and ... playing for time", saying he would like to see progress in "days and weeks, not months and months".