Zelenskyy Meets Allies Amid Calls for Peacekeepers \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met U.K. and French military leaders to discuss forming a European-led peacekeeping force despite limited U.S. backing under President Trump. The meeting follows a deadly Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih that killed 18 people, including nine children. Zelenskyy also criticized the U.S. ambassador’s weak response to the attack.
Quick Looks
- Zelenskyy met British, French military leaders in Kyiv Saturday
- Talks centered on building a European-led peacekeeping force
- U.K. sees force as deterrent to future Russian aggression
- Trump reluctant to support security guarantees or NATO expansion
- Russia’s Friday missile strike in Kryvyi Rih killed 18, including 9 children
- Over 70 injured, youngest victim just 3 months old
- Local officials say residential area, playground, restaurant were hit
- Russia claims attack targeted military meeting — not independently verified
- Zelenskyy slams U.S. ambassador for “weak” response to attack
- Air defenses intercepted 51 of 92 Russian drones overnight
Deep Look
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hosted high-level meetings in Kyiv on Saturday with senior military leaders from the United Kingdom and France, as Ukraine seeks international support for the potential deployment of a European-led peacekeeping force. The discussions came just one day after a devastating Russian missile strike in Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih killed 18 people, including nine children, and left over 70 injured.
At the center of the diplomatic discussions is the growing frustration with the United States, particularly with President Donald Trump’s reluctance to back a long-term security strategy for Ukraine. While European nations explore the formation of a multinational force, they acknowledge that without a U.S. “backstop,” any peacekeeping mission would lack credibility in the face of continued Russian aggression.
Peacekeeping Force Discussions Gain Momentum
The U.K. Ministry of Defense confirmed that officials addressed “the structure, size and composition” of a potential reassurance force, with British Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral Antony Radakin emphasizing London’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s military capabilities.
“We want to build on the formidable capabilities of the Ukrainian army and put them in the strongest possible position to deter Russian aggression,” Radakin said.
According to sources familiar with the talks, Britain is promoting the idea of a 10,000 to 30,000-strong European-led force that could stabilize Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. However, European officials admit that building a deterrent force of that size would require significant coordination and rearmament — especially for countries that drastically reduced their militaries after the Cold War.
The Saturday meeting is intended to lay the groundwork for upcoming talks in Brussels, including a session of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, where defense ministers are expected to review both battlefield support and long-term security strategies.
Trump Administration Hesitant on Security Guarantees
While the U.K. and France have voiced growing interest in a coordinated European security presence in Ukraine, President Trump has taken a far more isolationist approach. He has paused military aid to Kyiv and consistently rejected the notion of Ukraine joining NATO, citing concerns over escalating conflict and U.S. commitments abroad.
This divergence has caused increasing tension between Kyiv and Washington. European leaders warn that without American backing, any peacekeeping force — no matter how well-trained or well-intentioned — may lack the firepower and political support to deter renewed Russian attacks.
Missile Strike Devastates Kryvyi Rih
As the diplomatic talks unfolded, Ukraine continued to reel from one of the deadliest Russian missile attacks in recent weeks. On Friday, a high-explosive warhead struck Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy’s birthplace, destroying parts of a residential neighborhood and causing widespread devastation.
Eighteen people, including nine children, were confirmed dead by regional Governor Serhii Lysak. Among the injured were 72 civilians, with the youngest being just three months old. Seventeen victims remained in critical condition Saturday morning.
“There can never be forgiveness for this,” said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s defense council. “Eternal memory to the victims.”
The missile reportedly hit near a playground and several apartment blocks. Zelenskyy posted on Telegram:
“The missile struck an area right next to residential buildings — hitting a playground and ordinary streets.”
Local authorities report that more than 20 apartment buildings, 30 vehicles, a school, and a restaurant were damaged in the strike.
Russian Claims Disputed
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the attack targeted a restaurant where Ukrainian military commanders were meeting with Western advisors. Russia alleged that 85 military personnel and foreign officers were killed and that 20 vehicles were destroyed. However, the Ukrainian General Staff dismissed the statement as propaganda, and no independent source has verified Russia’s claims.
Later, a drone strike killed one woman and injured seven others in the same city. According to Ukraine’s air force, 92 drones were launched by Russia overnight, with 51 intercepted by air defense systems. An additional 31 decoy drones failed to reach their targets.
In Russian-occupied Horlivka, one person died Saturday in shelling, according to Moscow-installed Governor Denis Pushilin. Russian officials also claimed to have destroyed 28 Ukrainian drones over the Donetsk region, highlighting the escalating use of long-range UAVs in contested territories.
Zelenskyy Rebukes U.S. Ambassador’s Response
Amid the tragedy, Zelenskyy directed sharp criticism at the U.S. response — specifically a social media post from U.S. Ambassador Bridget A. Brink, who wrote on Friday:
“Horrified by the strike in Kryvyi Rih. More than 50 people injured and 16 killed, including 6 children. This is why the war must end.”
Zelenskyy called the post “unpleasantly surprising,” faulting Brink for not directly naming Russia as the perpetrator.
“Such a strong country, such a strong people — and such a weak reaction,” he said. “They are even afraid to say the word ‘Russian’ when talking about the missile that killed children.”
He contrasted the U.S. response with statements from Japan, the U.K., Switzerland, and Germany, which he praised for issuing “principled statements” that held Russia explicitly accountable.
“Yes, the war must end,” Zelenskyy added. “But in order to end it, we must not be afraid to call a spade a spade.”
Zelenskyy Meets Allies Zelenskyy Meets Allies
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