Western Allies Forge Strong Security Pact for Ukraine in Paris Talks

On Tuesday, Ukraine’s Western allies reached a consensus on significant security assurances for Kyiv, which include a U.S.-led monitoring system and a multinational European force that would be deployed post-ceasefire in the ongoing conflict instigated by Russia’s invasion.

This meeting in Paris, the most extensive yet involving the so-called Coalition of the Willing, brought together leaders from Europe and U.S. representatives who recognized the advancements made, despite recent tensions stemming from the United States’ assertive foreign policy during Donald Trump’s presidency.

The security assurances for Ukraine will take effect only after a ceasefire is established, concluding the nearly four-year-long war ignited by Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putin remain ambiguous.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that these «strong» guarantees would entail a truce monitoring mechanism led by the U.S. with involvement from European nations. The meeting included delegates from 35 countries, including 27 leaders.

Macron, alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, penned a declaration that outlines intentions for British, French, and other European forces to be deployed on Ukrainian soil following a ceasefire.

Additionally, the allies agreed on the establishment of a U.S.-Ukraine-Coalition coordination office in Paris.

However, a commitment from Washington to «support» the European-led multinational force in the event of a renewed Russian attack, which was part of the initial draft, was omitted from the final statement released on Tuesday night.

Macron indicated that Paris could send «several thousand» French troops to Ukraine post-conflict.

He later stated that these moves reflect «strong security guarantees that foster solid and enduring peace,» praising the «operational alignment» among allies, including the U.S.

According to Macron, the security guarantees serve as «the key to ensuring that a peace agreement will never equate to Ukraine’s surrender and will not pose a renewed threat from Russia.»

Against a backdrop of rising tensions between Europe and the U.S. regarding Greenland and Venezuela, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, present at the Paris discussions, stated that significant progress had been achieved.

«We have largely completed the agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine, ensuring that when this ends, it ends for good,» he said, accompanied by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.

Witkoff highlighted that «land options» would remain the most «critical issue» and expressed hope for possible compromises on this front.

Witkoff also mentioned that Trump believes «this devastation must cease.»

Kushner remarked that «while peace is not guaranteed, it cannot be achieved without the advancements made today.»

Zelensky expressed approval of the outcomes.

«These are not mere statements. There are tangible commitments: a joint declaration from all coalition nations and a trilateral statement from France, Britain, and Ukraine,» he said.

Echoing Witkoff’s sentiment, Zelensky pointed out that the most pressing issue yet to be addressed is «the territorial question,» referring to Russian demands for Ukraine to relinquish the eastern Donbas region.

Currently, Russia occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine and has consistently opposed any NATO presence in Ukraine to oversee the cessation of hostilities.

Starmer noted that after a ceasefire, the U.K. and France would establish «military hubs» across Ukraine and create secure facilities for weapons and military equipment to bolster Ukraine’s defense requirements.

However, he cautioned: «We can arrive at a peace agreement only if Putin is willing to make compromises. We must be candid—despite Russia’s statements, Putin does not appear ready for peace. Recent developments suggest otherwise,» he emphasized.

«This only strengthens our determination,» he added.

Fighting persists without any recent lull in what has become Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose country has been cautious about sending troops for a multinational force, stated that German troops could participate in monitoring a ceasefire, though stationed in a neighboring nation.

«We will certainly need to make compromises,» he said in Paris, acknowledging that «textbook diplomatic solutions» are unlikely.

The U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a Putin ally, along with Trump’s assertions that the self-governing Danish territory of Greenland should be incorporated into the U.S., had unsettled some European nations before the meeting.

Macron remarked on French television: «I cannot envision a scenario where the United States would be compelled to violate Danish sovereignty.»