By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-04-05 15:41:17 | Updated at 2025-04-06 06:10:06
14 hours ago
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday hailed “tangible progress” after meeting British and French military chiefs in Kyiv to discuss strengthening the Ukrainian army and ways to support the war-torn country after any end of hostilities with Russia.
British Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin and French counterpart Thierry Burkhard on Friday held talks with Zelensky, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
Zelensky wrote on social media on Saturday: “There is tangible progress and the first details on how the security contingent of partners can be deployed,” without giving details.
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are spearheading European efforts to send a “reassurance force” to Ukraine after any end to the war sparked by Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Zelensky thanked “the UK and France for their leadership”, saying “it is this kind of joint work, when everyone is focused on a strong result, that helps to bring a reliable and lasting peace to Ukraine.”
He said the allies are “making efforts to ensure security in Ukraine and reliable security guarantees”.
