Breaking News: Ukraine LIVE: Emmanuel Macron slaps down Donald Trump at awkward press conference…..See More

Battle rages on three years to the day after Vladimir Putin ordered destructive full-scale invasion – and today Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled £4.5bn more in aid for Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron interrupted claims made by Donald Trump in an awkward press conference today as the two men met to discuss a possible peace deal in the war in Ukraine.

Mr Macron intervened as the US president was saying “Europe is loaning the money to Ukraine. They’ll get their money back”.

Putting his hand on Mr Trump’s arm, the French leader said: “No, in fact, to be frank, we paid 60% of the total effort: it was through, like the US, loans, guarantees, grants. We provided real money, to be clear.”

Mr Trump also hinted that Ukraine may have to concede territory to Russia as part of any peace deal as the pair met in the White House. Mr Trump told reporters “we’ll see” when asked if Ukraine should give up territory as part of an agreement to end the war.

In comical scenes earlier in the day, Mr Macron was filmed sitting on the edge of President Trump’s desk in the Oval Office during a video call with G7 leaders and President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

In another uncomfortable exchange during the press conference, Mr Trump reiterated his plans to charge “reciprocal” tariffs against every country in the world, as the French President listened in silence.

The 78-year-old said: “Whatever they charge us, we charge them, nobody has a problem.”