Putin must stop 'unnecessary demands' in peace talks, Zelensky tells EU chiefs at meeting (2025)

Live Reporting

Edited by Tinshui Yeung and Neha Gohil

1. More peace talks in coming days as fighting continuespublished at 18:10 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

   18:10 GMT 20 March

   Two sets of high-level talks took place in Europe today, focusing on future peace in Ukraine as talks continue over a ceasefire in its three-year war with Russia.

   Here are the key developments from the day:

   • Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky told an EU summit that "nothing has changed", saying Russia hit energy targets despite promising to stop these attacks
   • He also said the US denying Ukraine Nato membership was "a big gift to Russia"
   • UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who hosts a meeting of about 20 military leaders from "coalition of the willing" countries, said it was important the group can "react straight away" if a peace deal is struck
   • He later warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin would breach a deal "without anything behind it"
   • Russia confirmed more talks with US officials in Riyadh on Monday 24 March – separate US-Ukraine talks will also take place in Saudi Arabia on the same day
   • All EU leaders except Hungary's Viktor Orbán voted to continue financial and military support for Ukraine
   • On the frontline, two people were killed in Ukraine after Russian strikes overnight, while 10 were injured in Russia after Ukrainian drone attacks

   We're pausing our live coverage now - read our wrap-up story here:

2. Where are the nuclear plants in Ukraine?published at 17:53 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

   17:53 GMT 20 March

   Earlier, Zelensky was asked if there were talks about the US potentially owning the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

   The question came after the White House said one topic in the call between Trump and Zelensky yesterday was US ownership of Ukraine's nuclear power plants - Zelensky later said the suggestion was only about the Zaporizhzhia plant.

   Ukraine has five nuclear power plants, including Chernobyl. Zaporizhzhia is the closest to the eastern frontline of the war.

   See the map below for their locations.

   

3. Starmer: Putin will breach a peace deal unless there's something behind itpublished at 17:45 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

   17:45 GMT 20 March

   Image source, Reuters

   As we've reported, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is meeting defence chiefs near London today, as they discuss a possible "reassurance force" in Ukraine after any ceasefire.

   (Our correspondent James Landale has more details on that here).

   We can now bring you quotes from Starmer, who says he "hopes" there will be a peace deal in Ukraine.

   "What I do know is if there is a deal, the time for planning is now. It's not after a deal is reached."

   He adds: "It is vitally important we do that work because we know one thing for certain which is a deal without anything behind it is something that Putin will breach.

   "We know that because it happened before. I'm absolutely clear in my mind it will happen again."
4. 

   How will Starmer's 'coalition of the willing' actually work?published at 17:15 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

   17:15 GMT 20 March

   Rich Preston
   BBC News

   Image source, PA Media

   What's being described as the operational phase is really the nuts and bolts of what a peacekeeping force would actually mean for Ukraine.

   We've heard a lot today about the "coalition of the willing" – and what that really comes down to is which country is willing to do what, and the practicalities of that.

   Russian president Vladimir Putin has said he doesn't want forces from Nato countries anywhere near his borders. So will the forces go in under their respective national flags or the blue helmets of the United Nations peacekeeping troops?

   One country that may be notable by its absence at today's conference at Northwood military base is the United States. It is yet to be seen whether they will play any role in peacekeeping, but the US often provides vital air support to peacekeeping countries.

   Sir Keir Starmer has committed peacekeeping troops for "as long as it takes", but there are questions over how long British troops can stay in Ukraine, what the terms of engagement are – and who is going to foot the bill.

   Behind the secure doors of Northwood, lots of very difficult conversations are going on. This is not going to be a one-time meeting, that's for sure.

5. What is Putin asking for in a ceasefire?published at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

   16:55 GMT 20 March

   Image source, EPA

   Russian leader Vladimir Putin has told Donald Trump he remains committed to ending the war in Ukraine peacefully.

   A Kremlin statement after their phone call on Tuesday suggested that Putin laid out key demands before agreeing to a ceasefire:

   • A "key condition" for preventing further escalation "should be the complete cessation of foreign military aid and sharing intelligence information with Kyiv"
   • Any deal must be "complex, stable and long-term" and tackle the "root causes of the crisis"
   • Ukraine should end "forced mobilisation" and stop rearming its military
   • Any settlement must consider Russia’s "legitimate interests" in security

   Responding to the demands, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of setting so many pre-conditions "that nothing will work out at all".

6. Lammy says Putin must not be given veto over European peacekeeperspublished at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

   16:34 GMT 20 March

   Image source, EPA

   The UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy says Vladimir Putin must "simply accept" an unconditional ceasefire and not be given a veto over the presence of European peacekeepers in Ukraine.

   Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea of Nato or EU peacekeeping troops on the ground.

   Speaking at a business conference in London, Lammy says: "Putin should simply accept an unconditional ceasefire. That is the plan on the table, let's get on with it, what are we waiting for?"

   He adds the Russian leader must not be given the option to veto the security architecture that will govern that peace, should a deal be struck to end the war.

7. 'We're moving from political momentum to military planning', Starmer tells BBCpublished at 16:14 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

   16:14 GMT 20 March

   Image source, PA Media

   Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer tells the BBC's Phil Chapman that a meeting with security leaders this afternoon aims to construct plans to keep Ukraine safe following earlier "political momentum".

   "What we're doing today is moving from political momentum that we had at the weekend... to the military planning so that is what is happening at headquarters today," he says during a visit to Barrow in Cumbria, north-west England.

   "Going from the concept to the plans in particular looking at how we keep the skies, the seas, the borders safe in Ukraine."

   Earlier today, the prime minister made a rare visit to a nuclear-armed submarine, saying that the Kremlin respects the UK's nuclear arsenal because "we've got our own independent deterrent and we're committed to Nato".

   • As a reminder, Starmer is hosting a meeting of international military leaders whose countries have expressed an interest in joining his proposed "coalition of the willing" to support Ukraine

8. What Zelensky told EU chiefs – a recappublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

   15:56 GMT 20 March

   As we reported earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took a break from his visit to Oslo to speak to EU leaders via video call as they met at a summit.

   Here are some key points from what he said:

   • He called for at least €5bn (£4.18bn) from Europe for artillery shells "as soon as possible" and said growing support for Ukraine is "crucial"
   • The EU must be involved in peace talks, he said, urging unity among member states
   • It is "simply anti-European" when decisions that are "important for the entire continent or that have already been agreed upon" are blocked by one person, he added
   • He urged Europe not to "ease pressure on Russia over the war" and said sanctions must continue
   • He also said he had a productive conversation with US President Donald Trump and called for EU support for "an unconditional, full ceasefire on land"

9. All EU leaders except Orbán vote for continued Ukraine supportpublished at 15:39 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

   15:39 GMT 20 March

   Image source, EPA

   All EU leaders except Hungary's Viktor Orbán voted to continue the bloc's "unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity" at a summit today.

   In an official statement released this afternoon, the EU says 26 of its 27 member countries also agreed to "maintain its 'peace through strength' approach", which means ensuring Ukraine has "robust military and defence capabilities".

   The EU "remains ready to step up pressure on Russia" and will keep giving Ukraine "regular" financial support as well as military support, the statement says.

   Earlier, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the summit, saying it's "simply anti-European when one person blocks decisions that are important for the entire continent or that have already been agreed upon".

   While he made no direct reference to Orbán, Zelensky said it was wrong that "European efforts that should be bringing more security and peace are also constantly being obstructed".

   He added: "Europe must have a way to prevent individual actors from blocking what’s necessary for all".

10. Zelensky warns 'nothing has changed' as he confirms new meeting with USpublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    15:21 GMT 20 March

    Rorey Bosotti
    Live page editor

    Image source, Getty Images

    A little earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at a press conference in Oslo. There, he confirmed that Ukrainian and US officials will be meeting in Saudi Arabia next week.

    If you’re only just joining our coverage, here’s a quickrecap of the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:

    • Speaking to reporters, Zelensky insists taking Nato membership for Ukraine off the table would be a "big gift to Russia"

    • Addressing EU leaders virtually, the Ukrainian leader says Vladimir Putin needs to stop "unnecessary demands" while warning "nothing has changed" after Russia attacked energy infrastructure despite Putin pledging to halt such strikes yesterday
    • He also says that the country's "nuclear plants belong to the people of Ukraine", following a suggestion from US President Donald Trump that Washington purchase the Zaporzhizhia power plant

    • Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is hosting a meeting of top military leaders from about 20 countries which expressed an interest in joining his "coalition of the willing"
11. 

    The many obstacles aheadpublished at 15:11 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    15:11 GMT 20 March

    Frank Gardner
    Security correspondent

    It is perfectly possible that, despite the best efforts of the UK and France, this Multinational Force now under discussion at Northwood never actually deploys to Ukraine.

    First off, there isn’t yet a ceasefire and there might not be one for months to come. President Putin’s list of preconditions - nearly all unacceptable to Ukraine and its allies - is successfully stalling this.

    Then there is the Kremlin’s rigid opposition to the deployment of any Nato member troops to Ukraine, regardless of what badge or beret they are serving under. Unless that changes it is hard to envisage this force going into a potential war zone, opposed.

    Then there is the question of US air support which is not so far forthcoming. Several countries have made their participation conditional on close air support from the US. They need to know that if they run into trouble that the metaphorical cavalry is going to ride to their rescue. Otherwise they risk sending their men and women into a highly dangerous situation.

    Finally there is force generation - the task of finding sufficient troops and hardware for the mission. Britain, which is hosting today’s planning meeting in Northwood, now has its smallest army since Napoleonic times.

    To even generate a brigade (between 3000 to 5000 troops) would mean taking them away from elsewhere and committing them to an open-ended deployment that, even with rotation every few months, could last years.
12. 

    Reassurance, not peacekeeping: What Ukraine coalition force will and won’t dopublished at 15:03 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    15:03 GMT 20 March

    James Landale
    Diplomatic correspondent, in Kyiv

    Image source, Getty Images

    The potential Western troop deployment to Ukraine being discussed in London should be described as a "reassurance force" rather than a "peacekeeping force", defence and diplomatic sources say.

    Currently dubbed the Multinational Force Ukraine or MFU, it would be sent to the country to cement any ceasefire and encourage long-term confidence in the country.

    The focus would be on providing Ukraine with air cover to keep its skies safe and a naval presence in the Black Sea to encourage trade.

    The deployment of so-called "boots on the ground" - probably about 20,000 strong - would in terms of size not be big enough to enforce any peace.

    Instead, the troops - provided by a so-called "coalition of the willing" - would most likely be deployed to protect cities, ports and major energy infrastructure.

    • Read more on this story

13. News conference endspublished at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    14:42 GMT 20 March

    Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

    That wraps up the news conference.

    Things have moved quickly – stay with us for a roundup of the key points.

14. Nato membership taken off the table by US 'a big gift to Russia'published at 14:39 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    14:39 GMT 20 March

    Next up is a question about Nato membership.

    Zelensky says it's a "big gift to Russia" that Nato membership has been taken off the table by Washington, after US officials ruled out Kyiv joining the alliance.

    Nato has 32 members across Europe and North America – the original 12 founders plus 20 countries that have joined since 1949.

    Russia has long opposed the idea of Ukraine becoming a member, fearing it would bring Nato forces too close to its borders.

    But in 2008, the alliance said Ukraine could eventually join, external.

15. Crimea is a Ukrainian peninsula - Zelensky refuses to make concessionspublished at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    14:35 GMT 20 March

    Asked if he's ready to make territorial concessions to Russia, particularly over recognising Crimea, Zelensky says: "That is a Ukrainian peninsula."

    He adds that he's spoken with US President Donald Trump about Ukrainians' love for Crimea, stressing it's an "integral part" of his country.

    As a reminder - Crimea is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine, despite Russia's occupation and claimed annexation in 2014.

16. 'All nuclear power plants belong to the people of Ukraine'published at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    14:32 GMT 20 March

    More now from the news conference in Oslo, where a reporter has asked Zelensky if there are talks about the US potentially owning the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

    "All nuclear power plants belong to the people of Ukraine," he replies.

    Zelensky says he did not directly discuss the plant's ownership in his phone call with US President Donald Trump.

    But when Trump asked what he thought about the station, Zelensky said he replied, "If it does not belong to Ukraine, it will not work for anybody."

17. Zelensky quizzed on what a ceasefire could look likepublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    14:24 GMT 20 March

    Image source, Reuters

    Back at the news conference in Oslo, Zelensky has been asked what a ceasefire might look like.

    He says the first step suggested was a ceasefire by land and sea, as Ukraine sees this as the only way to stop Russian aggression.

    But after meeting the US in Saudi Arabia, he immediately agreed to a 30-day ceasefire on land, at sea and in the air.

    After that, the idea of a partial ceasefire was raised.

    On Tuesday, during a call between Putin and Trump, Moscow and Washington discussed a temporary ceasefire on energy facilities.

    Ukraine and US officials will meet in Saudi Arabia next Monday, but it will be separate from the talks between Russian and US officials on the same day, Zelensky says.

18. Russia attacking energy sites despite agreeing to stop - Zelenskypublished at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    14:15 GMT 20 March

    While we wait for key lines from Oslo, here are more comments from Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky's earlier address to EU leaders.

    He says "nothing has changed" as Russia continues to strike Ukraine's energy infrastructure, despite Moscow agreeing yesterday to stop such attacks.

    "Yesterday evening, another Russian strike hit our energy infrastructure," he tells the summit.

    "We in Ukraine face this every day and night, you know it. And despite (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin’s words about allegedly being ready to stop the attacks - nothing has changed."

    As a reminder, Putin agreed to halt attacks on energy targets after a call with US President Donald Trump yesterday.

19. Zelensky and Norway's PM holding news conference – follow livepublished at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    14:05 GMT 20 March

    Image source, Reuters

    Ukraine's President Zelensky and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre are holding a news conference in Oslo after their meeting.

    Stay with us for the latest updates. You can follow along by clicking Watch Live at the top of this page.

20. Zelensky says Russia must stop making 'unnecessary demands'published at 14:02 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    14:02 GMT 20 MarchBreaking

    Image source, Reuters

    Russia must stop making "unnecessary demands" that drag out the war, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has told EU leaders at the summit today.

    "Putin must stop making unnecessary demands that only prolong the war and must start fulfilling what he promises the world," Zelensky says via video call.

    He urges the world to keep up the pressure on Putin because "one moment they give their word, and a few hours later it means absolutely nothing".

    Zelensky also says sanctions against Moscow must stay in place "until Russia starts withdrawing from our land and fully compensates for the damage caused by its aggression".