The United Kingdom and its allies have pledged continued support for Ukraine as the war with Russia grinds on with no clear end in sight. Speaking in Kyiv, UK Defence Secretary John Healey stressed that Western partners stand ready to assist Ukraine both before and after any peace deal.
Healey told the BBC that the coalition of Ukraine’s allies would work to “make the skies safe, make the seas safe, and secure the land” once a peace agreement is reached. His statement comes ahead of a key summit in Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron will host the “Coalition of the Willing” to discuss long-term security guarantees for Kyiv.
The UK has already committed £1 billion in seized Russian assets, repurposed into military aid. Healey framed the move as “Putin’s dirty money returned with interest.”
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains defiant. Speaking in Beijing, he hinted at the possibility of peace but warned that Moscow would pursue its goals militarily if its demands were not met. Putin reiterated claims of discrimination against ethnic Russians in Ukraine—an allegation used to justify the invasion in 2022.
US President Donald Trump has faced criticism for his warm reception of Putin at a recent summit in Alaska. Although Trump later expressed “disappointment” in the Russian leader and threatened further economic measures, European leaders, including Macron, warn that Putin may be exploiting Trump’s openness.
Macron’s office has signaled that European allies are prepared to offer Ukraine binding security guarantees, including ongoing training, weapons supplies, and potentially a future deployment of European troops to deter further Russian aggression. However, such a step would require a ceasefire—something Russia continues to reject.
On the ground, Russia has escalated attacks. This week alone, Ukraine faced one of the heaviest barrages yet, with over 500 drones and 24 cruise missiles launched. In Kyiv, a deadly missile strike killed 22 civilians, including four children, underscoring the human cost of the conflict.
For survivors like Ihor Maharynsky, who lost his wife in the strike, talk of negotiations feels meaningless. “Peaceful people are dying,” he said. “Peace talks with Putin? With this.
