Zelensky makes progress in talks with French and British military leaders

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised “tangible progress” on Saturday after meeting the British and French military leaders in kyiv to discuss the strengthening of the Ukrainian army and the ways to support the country torn apart by the war after the end of hostilities with Russia.

The British chief of the defense staff Tony Radakin and his French counterpart Thierry Burkhard had talks with Zelensky, the Ukrainian commander in chief Oleksandr Syrsky and the Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov.

Zelensky wrote on social networks on Saturday: “There is tangible progress and the first details on how the partners’ security contingent can be deployed”, without giving details.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are heading for European efforts to send what they call “comfort force” to Ukraine after the war at the war triggered by the invasion of Russia in 2022.

“We are continuing our discussions on long -term support from the Ukrainian people,” said Macron on X.

“First, for their army, which is – and will remain – their first line of defense; And secondly, on a possible comfort force, deployed behind the contact line to dissuade any renewed Russian aggression. ”

Zelensky thanked “The United Kingdom and France for their leadership”, saying “it is this kind of joint work, when everyone focuses on a solid result, which helps bring reliable and lasting peace to Ukraine.”

He said the allies “make efforts to ensure security in Ukraine and reliable security guarantees”.

– “determined support” –

Ukraine said Russia did not want a cease-fire, which the United States is trying to provoke.

The visit to Kyiv by the French and British military leaders came the same day as a Russian ballistic missile strike on the birthpir of Zelensky, the city of Kryvyi, killed 18 people, including nine children, announced the authorities.

Zelensky said on Friday evening: “We are talking about the presence on the field, in the sky and at sea. We also discuss air defense. And other sensitive things ”, without developing.

“We will come together at our soldiers every week. Our partners already have a lot of understanding of what Ukraine needs,” he added.

Burkhard, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of France, said on Saturday that she had discussed “comfort options” to be provided by an international coalition.

“Together, we want to guarantee a lasting and solid peace in Ukraine, an essential condition for the security of the European continent,” he said on X.

The goal of the joint trip was to “maintain determined support” for the Ukrainian army which would allow him to continue to fight against the Russian forces, he added.

Another objective was to “define a long-term strategy for the reconstruction and transformation of the army,” he added.