The US, UK and China have agreed in principle to a global ceasefire, during the coronavirus pandemic, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Vladimir Putin's spokesman says Russia will "most likely" sign up as well.

The agreement would be a landmark moment as the international community concentrates its efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

Trump is due to chair a meeting of the G7 leaders, to discuss the crisis on Thursday.

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Trump has agreed to a global ceasefire during the coronavirus pandemic and Putin will 'definitely' sign up as well, according to the French President Emmanuel Macron.

Speaking on French radio, Macron said US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Chinese premier Xi Jinping had all confirmed they would sign up to a global ceasefire.

"President Xi Jinping confirmed his agreement to me," Macron told radio station RFI. "President Trump confirmed his agreement to me. Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed his agreement to me. I think President Putin will definitely agree too."

France, Russia, the UK, the US, and China comprise the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, meaning support from all five members would be required for a ceasefire to be operable.

President Trump is due to chair a meeting of the G7 leaders, to discuss the coronavirus crisis on Thursday.

The move would represent a major act of international co-operation at a time when multilateral co-operation in other areas is weakening.

Trump on Tuesday said he was cutting funding to the World Health Organisation and accused China of "covering up the spread" of the coronavirus in its initial stages.

Putin's spokesman on Wednesday said it was "most likely" that the president would sign up to such an agreement. "Most likely, work is underway -- at the expert level, our diplomats are working on this before we can join it. As soon as this work is completed and [passes] approval with other partners, relevant statements will be made," he said, according to CNN.

A White House readout of Trump's phone call on Tuesday said both leaders had "discussed efforts to defeat the coronavirus pandemic and reopen world economies" but did not specifically mention discussions around a potential ceasefire.



The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres first called for a global truce back in March, saying that war-ravaged countries were particularly vulnerable to coronavirus pandemics because they have acutely poor healthcare provision.

"It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives," Guterres said.

"This is crucial — to help create corridors for life-saving aid. To open precious windows for diplomacy. To bring hope to places among the most vulnerable to COVID-19."