UK Defence Secretary John Healey to provide main press convention after large breakthrough – watch dwell

Defence Secretary John Healey is to give a press conference with his European counterparts in France as they push for a peacekeeping plan for Ukraine.

Mr Healey flew to Paris meet defence chiefs from E5 countries – France, Germany, Italy and Poland – to discuss plans for a deterrent to stop Vladimir Putin invading again. He will give a press conference with his counterparts at 5:30pm.

It comes as Keir Starmer hailed a “remarkable breakthrough” after Ukraine last night accepted a US proposal for a temporary 30-day ceasefire that can be extended by mutual agreement. The Prime Minister said the “ball is now in the Russian court”, adding: “Russia must now agree to a ceasefire and an end to the fighting too.” On Saturday Mr Starmer will hold a video call with 25 mostly European and Commonwealth countries who are interested in supporting Ukraine through the Coalition of the Willing.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was involved in talks with Ukrainian officials yesterday, this morning urged Russia to “end all hostilities”. “There is no military solution to this conflict… The only way we’re going to have peace if through negotiation,” he said.

He echoed that the ball is in Russia’s court and said the US will have contact with the Russians today. “We’re going to bring it to them directly,” he said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it’s important not to “get ahead” of the question of responding to the ceasefire, which was proposed by Washington. He told reporters that Moscow is awaiting “detailed information” from the U.S. and suggested that Russia must get that before it can take a position. The Kremlin has previously opposed anything short of a permanent end to the conflict and has not accepted any concessions.

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