British, French and Ukrainian military leadership to meet in coming days, UK says

London: British, French and Ukrainian military leaders will meet in the coming days to build on "real momentum" in efforts to boost Ukraine's security, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday.

The meeting to "drive forward the next stage of detailed planning" was agreed on a call between Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the spokesperson said.

The call came after a "coalition of the willing" of European countries supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia met in Paris last week and vowed to strengthen Kyiv's army for future security.

France and Britain at the meeting also tried to expand support for a planned foreign "reassurance force" in the event of a truce with Russia.

"The leaders reflected on their visit to Paris last week and agreed there was real momentum to support Ukraine's security for the long term," the prime minister's spokesperson said.

Zelenskyy in a separate statement said he valued Britain's position in putting pressure on Russia.

"Quite heavy pressure is needed to keep Russia from expanding the war. All the more so as Moscow now openly mocks attempts by our partners to move the peace agenda forward," Zelenskiy said.

The Kremlin said on Monday that Russia and the United States were working on ideas for a possible peace settlement in Ukraine.