British, French and Ukrainian military chiefs discuss finer details of how a peacekeeping mission could be deployed
Kieran Kelly. 05 April 2025
British, French and Ukrainian military chiefs have made “tangible progress” towards how a peacekeeping mission could be deployed after the war ends, Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president met with Adml Sir Tony Radakin and Thierry Burkhard, the British and French chief of defence staffs, in Kyiv on Friday to discuss the structure, size and composition of any future reassurance force.
Following the meeting on Saturday, Mr Zelensky said: “There is tangible progress and initial details regarding how a partner security contingent could be deployed.”
He stressed that the joint efforts were focussed on ensuring Ukraine’s security and establishing reliable long-term guarantees.
“It is precisely this kind of joint work – with everyone focused on a strong result – that helps us bring a durable and lasting peace in Ukraine closer,” he continued.
The Ministry of Defence said the talks addressed the “structure, size and composition required of any future reassurance force”, adding that 30 countries were expected to take part in the “coalition of the willing”.
Sir Tony said: “Our meetings looked at how we can build on the formidable capabilities of the Ukrainian Army and put them in the strongest possible position to deter Russian aggression.”
Further discussions are expected to take place next week when John Healey, the Defence Secretary, will meet his European counterparts in Brussels on Thursday before co-leading the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with the German defence secretary on Friday.
“Our coalition of nations – working at pace and willing to stand with Ukraine for the long term – is a stark contrast to Russia, who stands alone with only North Korea for a friend,” Mr Healey said.
“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.”
Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, had urged Europe to “develop concrete proposals on security arrangements for the Ukrainian people” after a meeting with Nato foreign ministers in Brussels.
But Mr Zelensky remains unhappy with the US. On Saturday, he launched a scathing attack on the US embassy for its “weak” response to a Russian missile strike that killed nine children the previous evening.
A combined ballistic missile and drone attack struck Kryvyi Rih, Mr Zelensky’s home town, on Friday, killing at least 18 people and injuring 60 others.
Mr Zelensky said he appreciated the support of European allies – including the UK, Germany and Finland – but that he was “disappointed” by the reaction from the US embassy in Kyiv.
While it described the attack as “horrifying”, the embassy did not mention that it was carried out by Russia.
Bridget Brink, the US ambassador to Ukraine, said: “It is horrifying that a ballistic missile hit near a playground and restaurant in Kryvyi tonight… This is why this war must end.” It was the only official US reaction.
In a statement on X, Mr Zelensky responded: “Such a strong country, such a strong people and yet such a weak reaction. They are afraid to even say the word ‘Russian’ when speaking about the missile that murdered children.”
It marks the latest development in the Ukrainian president’s testy relationship with the Trump administration. His visit to the White House in February descended into a public shouting spree with Donald Trump and JD Vance, the vice-president.
Days later, the US announced a temporary pause on all military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
The city of Kryvyi Rih, a frequent target of Russian missile and drone strikes, has declared three days of mourning following Friday’s attack.
Russia claimed to be pursuing a meeting of military commanders at a restaurant, saying it had killed 85 military targets without providing evidence.
The attack was widely condemned by foreign ministers across Europe.
“Firing a missile at a children’s playground – this is not war, this is barbarism,” Jan Lipavsky, the Czech Republic’s foreign minister, said on X. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and with those defending their country against Russian terror.”
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, described it as “tragic and inhumane”. “Another reckless Russian attack struck a crowded residential area … Russia continues to destroy Ukraine, no interest in peace,” she added.
Moscow, meanwhile, continued to accuse Ukraine of breaching a 30-day moratorium on striking energy infrastructure, saying Kyiv had hit 14 targets that included an industrial plant in the southwestern region of Samara.
But there were signs that Russia’s position may be shifting after a senior adviser to Vladimir Putin suggested that Moscow may accept Ukraine being given “some” security guarantees.
Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, told Fox News: “Some security guarantees in some form may be acceptable”. However, he ruled out the possibility of Ukraine joining Nato.
Combat troops only; not “peacekeepers.”
The UK and France can provide a division each.
Canada and the Anzacs one between them.
The Scandies and the Balts; one between them.
Germany must provide one, because of their terrible history with Ukraine.
Italy and Poland already dropped out.
What else? Could Czechia put one together with other like-minded smaller nations?
That would be six divisions; the absolute bare minimum.
I’d put most of them in Odessa and Mykolaiv, with mobile brigades available as and where the Ukrainians see fit.
Send them now. The trumputler “peace process” is going nowhere.
Anglo-French NFZ in the unoccupied areas.
Let’s face it, Zelensky is being diplomatic.
Europe has once again shown what a disunited place it is and what a stupid collection of countries it has, meaning Italy, Poland, Spain, Hungary, Slovakia, and so on. That’s why I always wish that they would get massively inundated by attack drones and missiles for once. There is no other way to wake up those fools.