Foreign Secretary David Lammy says Russia must accept ‘unconditional ceasefire’ after US-Europe talks
David Lammy has said Russia must agree to an "immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire" after meeting counterparts from the US and Europe for talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
Listen to this article
The Foreign Secretary travelled to Paris for the first high-level discussions between British, French and White House officials since Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron separately visited Washington in February.
Mr Lammy shared little detail about the series of meetings that took place in the French capital on Thursday but said the talks "underscore our shared commitment to global security".
The Foreign Secretary said: "In a volatile world, unity is our strength."
"Today's meetings with France, the US, Ukraine, and Germany underscore our shared commitment to global security.
"We must see a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and stability in the Middle East."
The urgent talks come after thirty people were injured in an attack on the south-eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro yesterday as Vladimir Putin continues his brutal war on the European nation.
Delegations from Germany and Ukraine, including the country's foreign minister Andriy Sybiga and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak, were also in Paris, as well as US secretary of state Marco Rubio and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
He added: "We are working hard with allies to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine.
"Russia must agree to an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire as Ukraine has done."
Talks about a possible peace have faltered since Moscow rejected a ceasefire proposal that had been agreed by the US and Ukraine last month.
Meanwhile, the UK and France have been seeking to assemble a coalition of nations that would be willing to defend a truce if one is reached.
Mr Rubio and Mr Witkoff were also meeting Mr Macron, with the US State Department saying talks would be held to "advance President Trump's goal to end the Russia-Ukraine war and stop the bloodshed".
The department added: "While in Paris, he will also discuss ways to advance shared interests in the region."
Following the talks, Mr Zelensky said it was "important that we hear each other, refine, and clarify our postitions and work for the sake of real security of Ukraine and all our Europe".
"I spoke for the second time today with the president of France Emmanuel Macron," he said.
"I am grateful to Emmanuel for his leadership and for today's work in Paris by our representatives - Ukraine, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States.
"It is important that we hear each other, refine and clarify our positions, and work for the sake of real security of Ukraine and all our Europe."
Thirty people, including five children, were wounded in an attack on Dnipro, Ukraine, yesterday said Serhii Lysak, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional administration.
Local authorities said the drones caused widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, including an educational institution, a dormitory, a gymnasium and multiple residential buildings.
Emergency Service said the strikes triggered multiple fires across the city.
In reaction to the Dnipro attack, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to support the country with air defence weapons.
"Every defence package from partners for Ukraine now, every form of support from the world for our resilience, is literally protecting lives," Mr Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
"Russia uses every day and every night to kill."
This comes as the Ukrainian president said the US envoy Steve Witkoff was 'spreading Russian narratives' after a meeting between Witkoff and Putin.
Russian state media said the talks lasted more than four hours, but the details of the talks are as yet unclear.
Steve Witkoff attended a peace summit in Paris on Thursday, along with US secretary of state Marco Rubio, and representatives from Britain, Germany, France and Ukraine.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine had evidence that China has been supplying Russia with artillery and gunpowder.
Meanwhile, Trump said he does not blame Zelenskyy for the war, but was 'not a big fan' of the Ukrainian president.
He made his comments during a press conference with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at the White House.
"I don't hold Zelenskyy responsible, but I'm not exactly thrilled with the fact that that war started," the US president told reporters.
"And, so I'm not happy with him, and I'm not happy with anybody involved, " he added.
"I'm not blaming him, but what I am saying is that I wouldn't say he's done the greatest job. Okay? I'm not a big fan."
Trump also said there was 'no way' Vladimir Putin would have invaded Ukraine if he was president, a claim he has repeated a number of times.
On Monday, Trump said he blamed Putin, Joe Biden, and Zelenskyy for the war - in that order.
At the time, he said: "Biden could have stopped it, and Zelenskyy could have stopped it, and Putin should have never started it.
"Millions of people are dead because of three people.
"Let's say Putin number one, let's say Biden, who had no idea what the hell he was doing, number two, and Zelenskyy."