UK and France stepping up in real and substantial way, CDS says on visit to Kyiv
Britain and France are stepping up to support Ukraine in a "real and substantial" way, the Chief of the Defence Staff has said on a visit to Kyiv.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin was in Ukraine with General Thierry Burkhard, his French counterpart, to visit President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a post on X, Adm Sir Tony said there were 200 planners from 30 nations who were working to strengthen Ukraine's long-term security.
The defence chiefs are meeting in Ukraine to plan a multinational force to deter future Russian aggression.
The meetings are focusing on how Ukraine's military capabilities can be built to put the country in the strongest possible position in the future.
This saw the chiefs address the structure, size and composition of any potential future reassurance force in Ukraine.
Adm Sir Tony said the UK's support for Ukraine was "ironclad", with Britain "stepping up for a just and lasting peace".
"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," he said.
"I am encouraged by the strength of unity we've seen between our European and international allies."
Discussions will continue as the Defence Secretary is set to host the next meeting of Coalition of the Willing defence ministers in Brussels.
John Healey will then chair the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with his German counterpart.
Mr Healey said the coalition of nations was "working at pace and willing to stand with Ukraine for the long-term".
He also said the group was in "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," he said.
"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."
Britain and France will bring together ministers from the coalition nations to discuss their next steps in planning support for Ukraine.
The Ukraine Defence Contact Group will bring together around 50 nations to drive forward additional military support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian attacks.
The UDCG was convened and chaired by the UK for the first time in February.
Forty-six nations were in attendance, raising an extra €1.5bn in military aid for Ukraine.
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