Key European leaders say it is ‘not the time’ to start lifting sanctions against Russia – as it happened (2025)

And on that note, that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.

Thank you for following Europe Live and hopefully see you again tomorrow as I will bring you the latest updates on Ukraine and on JD Vance’s trip to Greenland, which looks increasingly likely to coincide with a new government being formed on the semi-autonomous island (and one that is not that keen on the US plans).

Elsewhere, Russian president Vladimir Putin said he considered US plans to annex Greenland “serious” and worried the West could use the Arctic as a springboard for future conflicts.

“It is a deep mistake to think that this is some extravagant talk from the new American administration. It is nothing of the sort,” Putin told an Arctic forum in the northern city of Murmansk.

“We are talking about serious plans on the American side with regard to Greenland. These plans have longstanding historical roots,” he added, as reported by AFP.

He said that while Russia was not directly involved in the question of Greenland’s ownership, Moscow was concerned that “NATO countries, in general, are increasingly designating the far north as a springboard for possible conflicts”.

Putin’s comments come a day before JD Vance’s highly controversial visit to Greenland (11:45).

Bulgaria has offered to host a multinational maritime coordination centre to ensure the safety of shipping in the western part of the Black Sea, as part of a future security architecture supporting Ukraine, the Bulgarian government said.

The proposal was made at the Paris summit by the country’s prime minister, Rosen Zhelyazkov, according to the government’s press release.

It said that the Bulgarian proposal includes a mechanism for “constant maritime surveillance and early warning [alerts] on potential threats,” as well as monitoring of the critical underwater infrastructure in the Black Sea.

Zhelyazkov argued that the new structure could build on the Black Sea mine action group, formed with Turkey and Romania.

Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal said his main message in Paris was that “there is only one plan, Ukraine’s plan,” as he stressed that “Russia should have no say in Ukraine’s defence and security guarantees.”

“Ukraine wants peace – and proves it. Russia delays and demands,” he says.

He added that “Europe will do its share and remain determined to build lasting peace.”

• Key European leaders stressed that it was “not the time” to start lifting sanctions against Russia, as they called out Moscow’s delaying tactics in responding to a US-led ceasefire proposal in Ukraine (14:07, 14:18, 14:29).

• French president Emmanuel Macron outlined the structure of a future security guarantee proposed by the “coalition of the willing,” with further support for the Ukrainian army, a reassurance force stationed away from the frontline but offering support in “strategic” areas, and a broader push to rearm and coordinate better among the participating countries (14:52).

• French president Emmanuel Macron said there was currently no unanimity among all participants in the Paris summit on sending a European-led reassurance force to Ukraine, although he stressed it was not required to advance plans for its deployment.

• The French president said that Europe must prepare for any scenario, including one where its security initiative would not be supported by the US, but he appeared to repeatedly suggest that US president Donald Trump could change his mind once it becomes clear that Russia does not engage with his plans in good faith (15:00).

• UK prime minister Keir Starmer confirmed plans for French, British and German army chiefs to travel to Kyiv to help with planning support for future Ukrainian army, as part of a broader push to offer reassurance to the country, and a new Ukraine defence contact group meeting “to marshal more military aid and keep Ukraine in the fight” (15:09).

• Starmer also repeatedly called out Russia for “playing games and … playing for time,” saying he would want to see progress in “days and weeks, not months and months” (15:17).

• Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia does not want peace in Ukraine and seeks to divide Europe and America, as he urged the US to take a stronger line and impose sanctions on Russia for refusing to accept an unconditional ceasefire and called for a “reaction” to Moscow’s repeated violation of limited arrangements in place (16:57, 17:03).

• Zelenskyy also said the US was “constantly” shifting its approach to a minerals deal with Ukraine, but insisted that Kyiv remained willing and “sending positive signals” on the agreement (16:20).

Separately from Zelenskyy’s press conference, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni also offered her take on today’s talks, saying she hopes the United States will be involved in the next European meeting on Ukraine.

She “stressed the importance of continuing to work with the United States to stop the conflict and achieve peace”, her office said, AFP reported.

As such, she “hoped for the involvement of an American delegation at the next coordination meeting”, it said.

Zelenskyy also noted the Black Sea ceasefire is more beneficial for Russia, as Ukrainian export corridors were working anyway.

He also says that Ukraine will put together a list of examples of Russian violations of the agreed ceasefire arrangements on energy infrastructure and the Black Sea, hoping for a reaction from the US.

That concludes his press conference.

Zelenskyy suggests that the US should have imposed sanctions on Russia when it rejected the US proposal for a full ceasefire.

But, probably remembering the Oval Office spat, he quickly makes a pause there and adds:

Okay, let’s just make a pause and not just tell America, advise America what to do. They have their own people who can advise.

But he points out that Ukraine keeps agreeing to US proposals without changes, meanwhile Russia effectively keeps rejecting it, as it demands late adjustments or introduces new conditions.

Zelenskyy has been giving fascinating insight into the reality of working as a wartime leader, as he talks about the need to have open communications channels with other leaders, as “compared to the country at war, the entire world live at a very slow pace” and in “different realities.”

He says some pertinent issues could be addressed quickly, as he talks about difficulties with getting the US agreement and licenses for producing Patriot missiles locally in Ukraine.

He also takes a slight detour to criticise US envoy Steve Witkoff, saying that some of the things he says “for us, for Ukrainians, they look in a very abstract matter, like from another world.”

He appears to suggest that his experience of being a real estate diplomat in the US has limited application to the realities of a country at war.

But he pointedly stresses the importance of remaining close partners with both Europe and the US.

He then repeatedly says that Russian president Vladimir Putin is the only blockage to progress in peace talks, as he says he is ready for talks in any possible format.

Turning to president Trump more directly, he issues a passionate plea for him to back Ukraine against Russia and offer adequacy security guarantees if the US blocks Ukraine’s accession to Nato.

He also says that the US could play a critical role in enforcing the ceasefire or peace deal, as its military power would make Russia aware there would be serious consequences of breaking whatever is agreed.

Zelenskyy responds to questions on the outcomes of the summit, repeatedly insisting he is happy that with every summit “the position … is clearer and stronger,” despite natural minor differences when over 30 countries meet in one place.

“What unites us is that everybody is in support of, speaks in support of Ukraine, for the security guarantees for us and it’s very important, they are on our side,” he says.

He stresses that Ukraine would not recognise any part of its occupied territory as Russian.

Earlier he also spoke about the need for stronger air defence systems, suggesting there is scope for the US to provide it with more support in this area as requested during his recent phone call with president Trump, but says this has not been discussed in details yet.

Zelenskyy also says the meeting sent a very clear signal that Russia “cannot dictate the personnel strength of our armed forces,” as there was a consensus that having a strong Ukrainian army will be a key part of any future security infrastructure.

He says it is “important that the same attitude is present within the United States,” adding that the meeting “sends this signal to US and others” on this.

On specific reassurance force that could be deployed to Ukraine, he says “there are lot of proposals from leaders,” and “there are a lot of issues, there are fewer answers,” but he notes there are planned meetings that will take it further, like the Franco-British visit to Kyiv later.

Asked directly about it, he insists he is not disappointed with outcome of the summit, listing what he sees as benefits of the meeting, with commitments on future drone production and a clear political signal on sanctions.

In his first question, Zelenskyy gets asked about the role of the US, and he says it is “undoubtedly very important.”

He repeats his accusation that Russian president Vladimir Putin “doesn’t want” peace and wants to divide Europe and America.

“His Kremlin machinery has been working it more for more than one year, dividing weakening Europe, dividing the European Union, dividing the United States of America, dividing the united states, states from within, in terms of support for Ukraine or not supporting Ukraine,” he says.

Zelenskyy then gets asked about the prospect of signing a new minerals deal between the US and Ukraine.

He says that the US has “constantly” been changing its approach to the deal, which was originally meant to be signed as a framework agreement first, followed by a detailed one, but now the US wants to pursue a full agreement.

He says there appears to be a reverse process to the one previously discussed, but says that lawyers at looking at proposals, ready to work through it.

“But I wouldn’t like to leave the United States with the feeling that Ukraine is against in general; we have shown constantly our [will] and have been sending positive signals,” he says.

Asked specifically about whether there are any prospects of him making another visit to the White House, he says there are currently no such plans.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy opens by saying that it is important that “lifting of any sanctions on Russia” will not happen until “a fair and just peace” is agreed.

He also welcomes new support packages for Ukraine, and adds there is a broader “vision” in terms of how Ukraine could be supported in the future.

He also thanks France for lighting up the Eiffel Tower in the Ukrainian colours last night, “demonstrating to the rest of the world what kind of support Ukraine enjoys” from partners.

We’re expecting to hear from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy soon. I will bring you the key lines here.