French, U.K. military chiefs discuss 'reassurance' options with Ukraine leader
The Hindu
British and French military chiefs visit Kyiv to discuss strengthening Ukrainian Army and post-war support efforts.
British and French military chiefs travelled to Kyiv this week to discuss strengthening the Ukrainian Army and ways to support the war-torn country after any end of hostilities with Russia, France's Thierry Burkhard said on Saturday (April 3, 2025).
On Friday, Mr. Burkhard and British Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
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.
Ukraine has said Russia does not want a ceasefire.
The visit to Kyiv by the French and British military chiefs came on the same day that a Russian ballistic missile strike on Mr. Zelenskyy's home city of Kryvyi Rig killed at least 18 people, among them nine children, authorities said.
Mr. Zelenskyy called the meeting with Burkhard and Radakin "fundamental".
"We are discussing presence on the ground, in the sky and at sea. We are also discussing air defence. And some other sensitive things," he said on Friday evening without elaborating.
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