UPDATE - French presidency denies Macron, Zelenskyy, Starmer trip to US

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM ELYSEE, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - The French presidency on Wednesday denied plans of a joint visit to Washington involving President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, contradicting earlier statements by a government spokesperson.

Contrary to what government spokesperson Sophie Primas had announced, a new trip by Macron to Washington is not "planned at this stage," the Elysee palace said, according to French television network BFMTV.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day, Primas had suggested that such a visit was "under consideration" and could take place in the "short term."

She did not provide a specific date but linked the potential trip to ongoing discussions on European defense.

Primas also stressed the gravity of the current geopolitical climate. "Our continent has not experienced a crisis this severe and unstable since World War II," she said.

The announcement came as efforts to end Russia's three-year-old war in Ukraine war intensify.

Macron will also address the French public on Wednesday evening, ahead of a European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday, which will focus on European defense and Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a plan on Tuesday to unlock up to €800 billion in additional defense spending.

Last month, the three leaders met President Donald Trump separately in a bid to convince him not to abandon support for Ukraine, as the US launched direct talks with Russia.

Starmer on Sunday, after a summit in London, said European leaders had agreed to draw up a Ukraine peace plan to present to the US.