Senior military officials from France and the United Kingdom visited Kiev on Saturday for high-level talks aimed at strengthening support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
French Chief of Staff Thierry Burkhard travels to the Ukrainian capital along with his British rival Tony Radakin.
Burkhard wrote on X. that the two met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to discuss further military aid to Ukraine and a long-term strategy for reorganizing Ukrainian armed forces.
The Army Chief also discussed the deployment of international peacekeeping forces in Ukraine during the ceasefire, Berkhard said.
France and Britain have expressed willingness to send troops to Ukraine, a so-called “willed alliance” to monitor a potential ceasefire, but are looking for more partners.
“We want to ensure the lasting and firm peace of Ukraine, which is an important prerequisite for security on the European continent,” Berkhard wrote.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the French Minister of Defense of Thierry Burkhard during a visit to British and French military leaders. – /President of Ukraine/DPA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with British Defense Minister Tony Radakin during a visit to British and French military leaders. – /President of Ukraine/DPA
