Russia must face “even more pressure” from the West, Defence Secretary John Healey is expected to warn today, as he joins defence leaders from over 30 nations in Brussels to ramp up military coordination in support of Ukraine.
The meeting, which brings together members of the so-called “coalition of the willing”, aims to chart the next steps in policing any future peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv and reinforce the global commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty.
Mr Healey will co-host the summit alongside his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu, with discussions set to focus on how each nation’s military capabilities can best be deployed to support Ukraine, both now and in any potential post-war environment.
“We Cannot Jeopardise Peace by Forgetting the War”
In his prepared remarks, Mr Healey will emphasise the need to stay the course in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
“We cannot jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war,” he is expected to tell delegates. “So we must put even more pressure on Putin and step up our support for Ukraine, both in today’s fight and the push for peace.”
The Defence Secretary will also highlight the efforts of military strategists already hard at work behind the scenes.
“A couple of weeks ago, I visited the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters, where military leaders from around 30 nations were developing options and progressing plans,” he will say. “I was struck by their sense of historic responsibility to secure peace in Ukraine and to strengthen European security for all our nations.”
Starmer: UK Ready to Back Peace With Boots on the Ground
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has maintained that the UK would be prepared to contribute troops to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, should a negotiated settlement require enforcement. His firm stance echoes growing concern among NATO allies that Russia may use any lull in fighting to regroup rather than retreat.
Mr Starmer has also taken aim at Vladimir Putin’s negotiation tactics, accusing the Russian president of deliberately stalling diplomacy.
“It’s clear the Russians are filibustering. They are playing games and they are playing for time, it is a classic from the Putin playbook,” he told world leaders last month at the Elysée Palace in Paris.
There, Mr Starmer and allied leaders agreed that sanctions on Russia must remain in place, despite calls from Moscow to ease restrictions.
“Now is not the time to lift sanctions on Russia. On the contrary, now is the time to increase them to get them to the table on negotiations,” the Prime Minister said.
European Allies Step Up Support
Friday will see Mr Healey chair a separate session with Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, focused on increasing military aid to President Zelensky’s government.
The high-level talks follow recent meetings in Kyiv between British and French military chiefs, including Sir Tony Radakin, the UK’s Chief of the Defence Staff.
It’s part of a wider diplomatic surge aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s position both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table, as the war enters its third year with no end in sight.
