Zelensky hails tangible progress in talks with French, UK military chiefs

KYIV: 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”.

Ukraine has said Russia does not want a ceasefire, which the United States is attempting to bring about. The visit to Kyiv by the French and British military chiefs came on the same day that a Russian ballistic missile strike on Zelensky’s home city of Kryvyi Rig killed 18 people, among them nine children, authorities said.

Zelensky said Friday evening: “We are discussing presence on the ground, in the sky and at sea. We are also discussing air defence. And some other sensitive things,” without elaborating.

“We will be meeting at the level of our military every week. Our partners already have a lot of understanding of what Ukraine needs,” he added.

Burkhard, the chief of staff of France’s armed forces, said on Saturday they had discussed “reassurance 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 it to continue to fight against Russian forces, he added.

Another goal was to “define a long-term strategy for the reconstruction and transformation of the army”, he added.-in a related development, Zelensky in an emotional statement on social media named each of the children killed in the attack, accusing the US embassy of avoiding referring to Russia as the aggressor.

“Unfortunately, the reaction of the American Embassy is unpleasantly surprising: such a strong country, such a strong people -- and such a weak reaction,” Zelensky wrote.

“They are even afraid to say the word ´Russian´ when talking about the missile that killed the children.”

Zelensky singled out the United States for criticism as President Donald Trump has pushed for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine while seeking a thaw in ties with Moscow.

The Ukrainian president was taking aim at a message posted on X by US Ambassador Bridget Brink on Friday evening, which said: “Horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a playground and restaurant”.

Brink, who was appointed by Trump´s predecessor Joe Biden and has been ambassador since May 2022, added that “this is why the war must end”.Zelensky wrote Saturday: “Yes, the war must end. But in order to end it, we must not be afraid to call a spade a spade.”