Britain’s Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, has met with his Ukrainian and French counterparts in Kyiv, as the UK continues to lead international efforts to establish a lasting peace in Ukraine.
The high-level talks form part of the UK’s push to develop a Coalition of the Willing, a multinational effort aimed at deterring further Russian aggression and strengthening Ukraine’s future security. Discussions focused on enhancing Ukraine’s current capabilities and planning for a long-term reassurance force, including its potential structure, size and operational composition.
The meeting comes ahead of two major international gatherings this week, where Defence Secretary John Healey will host allied defence ministers in Brussels. On Thursday, Healey will co-chair a planning meeting with his French counterpart. On Friday, he will lead the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) alongside his German counterpart, with around 50 countries expected to attend.
“The UK is ironclad in our support for Ukraine, which is why we’re stepping up for a just and lasting peace,” said Admiral Radakin following the meeting. “Our discussions 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.”
The talks in Kyiv follow a month of strategic diplomatic engagements, including visits by the Prime Minister to Paris, meetings in London with international leaders, and planning sessions held at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ). The coordinated military planning underway between allies reflects a unified front in the face of ongoing Russian attacks.
Brussels Meetings to Shape Next Phase
This week’s meetings in Brussels will build on the progress already made by coalition nations. Defence ministers will explore the next stage of planning for the multinational force, with individual countries expected to offer contributions of personnel, capabilities, and support. The objective is to ensure Ukraine is protected not only now, but well into the future.
Speaking ahead of the meetings, Defence Secretary John Healey said:
“Our coalition of nations, working at pace and willing to stand with Ukraine for the long-term, is a 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.”
Healey also reaffirmed that planning for peace would not come at the expense of supporting Ukraine’s immediate defence. “We will not jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war,” he said, highlighting the ongoing work of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group to supply military aid.
Military Support at Record Levels
The UK has committed more military support to Ukraine in 2025 than ever before. A total of £4.5 billion has been pledged this year, including significant new packages of drones, air defence systems, tanks, and munitions.
Recent military aid includes:
- 12 February 2025: £150 million package of drones, tanks and air defence systems
- 19 December 2024: £225 million for drones, boats and munitions
- 6 September 2024: 650 lightweight multirole missiles
In March, the UK government announced a £1.6 billion defence deal to supply over 5,000 air defence missiles, in a move expected to benefit British industry and jobs. Additionally, a £2.26 billion loan has been granted to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets, further strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
Since the start of the war, the UK Ministry of Defence has sent over 400 different capabilities to Ukraine.
Four-Point Plan for Peace
The UK’s actions align with the Prime Minister’s four-point plan to support Ukraine, which includes:
- Accelerating the delivery of weapons and equipment
- Boosting Ukraine’s long-term defensive strength
- Establishing robust international security assurances
- Increasing pressure on Russia and Vladimir Putin
“The strength of unity between European and international allies is clear,” said Admiral Radakin. “We are working together to ensure Ukraine can defend itself today, and stand strong tomorrow.”
The Defence Secretary has repeatedly emphasised the importance of Ukraine’s security to the stability of Europe, and by extension, to the UK’s economy. National security remains a key pillar of the government’s broader Plan for Change.
