Western military leaders are set to discuss the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday.

At a meeting in Kiev with outgoing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Zelensky stated that a small group of countries was willing to send contingents.

The Ukrainian president had announced a meeting involving the chiefs of staff from France, the United Kingdom and Ukraine last Friday but had not specified when this would take place.

France and the UK have signalled willingness to send troops as part of a so-called “coalition of the willing” to monitor a potential ceasefire. However, Russia has strongly opposed any NATO troop deployment, warning of further escalation. Germany has ruled out sending its forces.

In his evening video address on Tuesday, Zelensky said discussions at Friday’s meeting would also focus on a new security framework for Ukraine.

“We are preparing detailed proposals regarding the contingents of our partners who could become part of the new security architecture. In fact, this is one of the security guarantees for Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

With Western backing, Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia’s all-out invasion for more than three years.