KYIV, Ukraine, April 5, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - 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".

- 'Determined support' -

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.