ATHENS

There is a need to increase pressure on Russia to make it end its war on Ukraine, British Defense Secretary John Healey said on Thursday.

"We are stepping up as one ready to secure Ukraine's future following any peace deal. We advance the momentum of that planning here today, planning to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to protect its sovereignty and to deter any further Russian aggression," Healey said in his opening remarks at the defense ministers’ session of the meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing in Brussels.

The group includes nations interested in providing security guarantees and contributing to a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine in the post-war period.

“Our plans are well developed, and we have clear objectives for Ukraine: First, to secure safe skies; second, to secure safe sea; third, to support a peace on the land; and fourth to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces to become their own strongest possible deterrent,” he added.

Healey said the meeting would focus on the operational planning of the coalition and preparations for the post-peace deal era in Ukraine.

"We must put more pressure on (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin to end his war, and we must step up our support for Ukraine, both in the fight and in the push for peace," he said.

Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in a doorstep statement said Russia is not interested in peace, and stressed the importance of keeping the US on board to support Ukraine.

“It is also in the interest of the US that there is stability and peace in Europe, because what is happening in Ukraine and how this war ends also has an impact on other security theaters, like Asia Pacific, for example,” she added.