French justice minister urges prompt appeal hearing for Le Pen – Europe live

Gerald Darmanin stresses court timelines are outside government control as PM admits he has questions over immediate public office bans

• Le Pen ban is political and partisan', says French far-right party's president

In Kyiv, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has offered an update on the talks with the United States over a new minerals deal.

Sybiha told a press conference held with his Lithuanian counterpart, Kestutis Budrys, that one round of consultations had already taken place and that an agreement providing for a strong American business presence in Ukraine would contribute to his country's security infrastructure, Reuters reported.