Emmanuel Macron has announced a plan for a “reassurance force” with several countries in Ukraine – but not all European allies have backed the idea.

The French president said some nations disagreed on the proposed deployment of an armed force to back up an eventual peace deal in Ukraine, with only some wanting to take part.

“It is not unanimous,” he said during a news conference after the third summit of the so-called “coalition of the willing” on Thursday, with leaders meeting in Paris to coordinate their stance.

Latest: Plan for ‘reassurance force’ announced

But Mr Macron said France and the UK, who are driving the initiative, will work with Ukrainian counterparts to decide where the contingents could be deployed in Ukraine.

“We do not need unanimity to achieve it,” he said.

The summit hosting the leaders of nearly 30 countries, plus NATO and European Union chiefs, comes at a crucial point in the war, which has lasted more than three years.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer – who was also at the meeting – has said Vladimir Putin must be given a deadline to make progress on a Ukraine ceasefire.

Following the summit, the prime minister spoke at a news conference at the UK ambassador’s residence in Paris and accused the Russian president of “playing games” and “playing for time”.

He told reporters he would like to see a peace deal in Ukraine develop in a matter of days and weeks instead of months.

When questioned about the “reassurance force”, Sir Keir said it was “designed to deter” Mr Putin and defend whatever peace deal is agreed.

He added: “This will require the engagement and support of the United States”.

Read more from Sky News:
Macron: Russia ‘reinterpreting’ ceasefire deals
Who benefits from Black Sea ceasefire?
Trump envoy criticises ‘coalition of willing’

However, Mr Macron was more cautious, suggesting they may have to do without American backing. “We have to be prepared for a situation where perhaps they won’t join in,” he said.

While there were no details about which nations would contribute military assets, Sir Keir did confirm the coalition had “200 planners from 30 countries”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a positive reaction to the summit, adding there were “a number of countries who are prepared – either through the air or with boots on the ground – to provide security guarantees to Ukraine”.

Sir Keir also confirmed that Parliament would “have a say” if British troops were deployed on a long-term basis.

Donald Trump has said he wants to broker a swift end to the war. But a series of bilateral talks between the US and the warring sides has yet to yield significant results.

Agreements brokered by the US to safeguard shipping in the Black Sea and to halt long-range strikes on energy infrastructure have been widely welcomed as a first step toward peace.

But Ukraine and Russia have disagreed over the details and accused each other of violating the deals.

At least six people have died and dozens of others have been rescued after a tourist submarine sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt.

Nine of those rescued were injured after the vessel sank near Hurghada, two municipal officials said.

Sky’s US partner NBC News, citing the Russian embassy in Cairo, reported four Russian citizens were among those who had died.

The submarine, called Sindbad, was carrying 45 passengers, including children, NBC reported.

It is not immediately clear what caused the submarine to sink.

The Russian embassy told NBC: “On March 27, at about 10:00, the Sindbad bathyscaphe, owned by the hotel of the same name, crashed 1km off the shore. […] In addition to the crew, there were 45 tourists on board, including minors.”

It added: “Most of those on board were rescued and taken to their hotels and hospitals in Hurghada.

“Their health condition is not a concern. Four people died. The fate of several tourists is being clarified.”

Emergency crews were able to rescue 29 people during the disaster, according to a statement released by the Red Sea governorate.

The group had paid for a sea trip to the coral reefs in Hurghada, according to local media reports.

Security and emergency services responded to the incident, including 21 ambulances, Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm reported.

The submarine had been operating tourist trips in the area for several years, the news outlet added.

Hurghada is a beach resort town stretching around 25 miles along Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

The submarine embarked off one of the beaches in the tourist promenade area, Egyptian officials who did not want to be named, told the Associated Press news agency. Tourists of different nationalities were on board.

Some tourist companies have stopped or limited travelling on the Red Sea due to the dangers from conflicts in the region.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Emmanuel Macron has said Russia is reinterpreting what was agreed in the Black Sea ceasefire talks – as he met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Ukraine and Russia agreed to a tentative ceasefire brokered by the US involving the Black Sea and strikes on energy infrastructure on Tuesday.

But drone strikes were reported just hours after the US reached the deals separately with each country, with the mayor of the Ukrainian port city Mykolaiv saying there were emergency power outages after reports seven drones were downed over the region.

“I note today Russia is always tempted to reinterpret what we discuss and agree,” the French president said on Wednesday.

“While saying it wants peace, Russia continues to strike intensely the Ukrainian territory, including civilian targets. These strikes – we condemn them.”

Secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the US will evaluate demands made by Russia after Moscow agreed “in principle” to the ceasefire.

Russia also accused Ukraine of targeting energy infrastructure in Crimea, Kursk and Bryansk but this has not been independently verified. Ukraine denied the claims.

Meanwhile, Russia launched its largest drone attack yet on Mr Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, according to the city’s military administration chief.

Macron announces further military support

As Mr Macron announced an additional $2bn of military support for Ukraine, he added that Russia cannot dictate the conditions for a lasting peace in Ukraine.

When questioned on whether sanctions on Russia should be lifted, Mr Macron said it is “much too early”.

The French president also said that a proposed European armed force for possible deployment in Ukraine in tandem with an eventual peace deal could “respond” to a Russian attack if Moscow launched one.

At a news conference after the meeting of the two leaders, Mr Zelenskyy said that he expects the US will be able to ensure Vladimir Putin accepts a ceasefire.

“We believe America will be strong enough to lead Putin to accept an unconditional ceasefire,” he said.

Read more:
What is in the Black Sea ceasefire?
Moments that shaped Trump-Zelenskyy relationship
Ukraine war Q&A

President Zelenskyy’s trip to Paris comes ahead of a summit of European leaders on Ukraine and security on Thursday.

The so-called “coalition of the willing” nations that are allies of Ukraine will discuss options for a peacekeeping solution for the country after the war ends, with France and Britain leading efforts.

Meanwhile, Mr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff said on Wednesday that US-Ukraine ties were “back on track”.

In an interview with Reuters news agency, Andriy Yermak said two rounds of talks in Saudi Arabia gave Kyiv the chance to show US officials it is open to working with Donald Trump to end the war.

“I think we have great conversations with the Americans. I think we are back on track,” he said.

Relations appeared to hit a new low last month following a disastrous meeting between Mr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump at the White House.