(Alliance News) – The UK defence secretary is set to convene the next meeting of the “coalition of the willing” next week, as the head of the British armed forces has been in Kyiv for discussions with Volodymyr Zelensky.
John Healey will host defence ministers in Brussels alongside his French counterpart on Thursday, the Ministry of Defence said.
He will then chair the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with his opposite number from Germany on Friday.
Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin has been in Kyiv with his French counterpart, and met Zelensky on Friday, as talks with military planners continued.
The UK and France have been at the forefront of discussions convening a group of nations who would be willing to join a force to deter Vladimir Putin from attacking again in the event of a peace deal.
Overall, 30 countries are expected to contribute to the group, the MoD has said.
Healey said on Saturday: “Our coalition of nations, working at pace and willing to stand with Ukraine for the long-term, is a stark contrast to Russia who stand alone with only North Korea for a friend.
“As Putin prevaricates over a ceasefire, we will continue to ramp up our military planning, exploring the air, sea and land forces that could support a lasting peace in Ukraine.
“However, we will not jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war.
“That’s why in the week ahead we will also convene the Ukraine Defence Contact Group to supply Ukraine with the military equipment they need to put them in the strongest possible position as they fight back brutal, continuing Russian attacks.”
Keir Starmer also discussed the “progress” of the “coalition of the willing” talks in a phone call with Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, Downing Street said.
In a conversation which also touched on the tariff measures announced by Donald Trump, “the Prime Minister and the President agreed to stay in close contact over the coming weeks”, Number 10 said.
Zelensky has said he is “grateful to all the countries” supporting the effort, and said there has been “tangible progress and initial details regarding how a partner security contingent could be deployed”.
In a post on X reflecting on his meeting with the heads of the British and French forces, he said that officials are “working to ensure security in Ukraine and to establish reliable security guarantees”.
Russian strikes on Ukraine have continued, and at least 18 people, including nine children, were killed on Friday by a missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, the home town of Zelensky.
Zelensky called for “pressure” on Moscow and said “we must not be afraid to pressure the one who continues this war and ignores all the world’s proposals to end it”.
Writing on X on Saturday, Zelensky thanked nations including the UK for their support, but criticised the response from the US embassy, calling it “surprisingly disappointing”.
“They are afraid to even say the word ‘Russian’ when speaking about the missile that murdered children,” he said.
Bridget Brink, the US ambassador in Kyiv, posted a message on Friday which read: “Horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a playground and restaurant in Kryvyi Rih. More than 50 people injured and 16 killed, including 6 children. This is why the war must end.”
By Caitlin Doherty, Deputy Political Editor
source: PA
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