Sir Keir Starmer will today meet world leaders in Paris as part of planning for peacekeeping operations in Ukraine. The Prime Minister will co-host the gathering of the "coalition of the willing" alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.

The UK and France have been leading efforts to convene a group of nations who would contribute to defending a peace deal if one is reached in the war with Russia. Sir Keir will say: “Unlike President Zelensky, Putin has shown he’s not a serious player in these peace talks.

"Playing games with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea despite good faith participation from all sides – all while continuing to inflict devastating attacks on the Ukrainian people. His promises are hollow.

“The US is playing a leading role by convening the ceasefire talks, President Zelensky has demonstrated his commitment repeatedly, and Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future. Now Putin needs to show he’s willing to play ball.”

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to pause hostilities in the Black Sea but Moscow has demanded that it only comes into force after a number of sanctions against its food and fertiliser trade were lifted.

Military chiefs held meetings this week at the UK's permanent joint headquarters in Northwood throughout in preparation for a European-led peacekeeping force.

European and Commonwealth allies are seeking to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin as he resists accepting in full a US and Ukraine-backed ceasefire, as well as ensuring a peacekeeping plan is in place if an agreement is reached.

US negotiators have been holding talks with counterparts from Kyiv and Moscow in a bid to reach an agreement to end the war.