Ukraine’s allies used a high-level Paris meeting to codify how a ceasefire would be secured rather than to promise an immediate military presence. The declaration signed Tuesday sets out security guarantees that only activate after a truce in Russia’s war against Ukraine, now approaching its fourth year since the 2022 full-scale invasion. The design reflects a balancing act: offering Kyiv credible reassurance without pre-committing troops while active combat continues.

The agreement emerged from the largest meeting yet of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, bringing together representatives of 35 countries, including 27 heads of state or government. French President Emmanuel Macron framed the outcome as a “significant step,” saying the guarantees amounted to “robust security guarantees for a solid and lasting peace.” He added that the framework showed an “operational convergence” among European partners and the United States, despite recent transatlantic tensions.

“Robust Security Guarantees”

At the core of the plan is a layered structure. The United States would lead a ceasefire monitoring mechanism with European participation once fighting stops. In parallel, Britain, France, and other European allies would deploy a multinational military force on Ukrainian territory after a ceasefire, according to a declaration of intent signed by Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and President Volodymyr Zelensky. Macron said France could contribute “several thousand” troops in a postwar setting.

The allies also agreed to establish a U.S.–Ukraine–Coalition coordination cell in Paris to manage planning and information flow. However, language in an earlier draft committing Washington to “support” the European-led force “in case of a new attack” by Russia did not appear in the final communique released Tuesday evening, underscoring limits to U.S. guarantees.

Macron added a regional dimension, noting that “Türkiye is willing to take responsibility on the maritime issues,” pointing to allied discussions beyond land deployments.

“Critical Issue”

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said “a lot of progress” had been made, arguing that allies had “largely finished” agreeing guarantees so Ukrainians would know that “when this ends, it ends forever.” Standing alongside Jared Kushner, he cautioned that “land options” would be the most “critical issue,” adding that compromises would be needed. “This carnage has to stop,” Witkoff said, referring to the war that has left Russia occupying around 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky welcomed the outcome, stressing substance over symbolism. “These are not just words. There is concrete content,” he said, pointing to both the joint coalition declaration and the trilateral document with France and Britain. He echoed U.S. concerns that the unresolved “territorial question,” including Russian demands over the Donbas region, remained the hardest obstacle.

“Hardens Our Resolve”

Starmer said that after a ceasefire, the UK and France would establish “military hubs” across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and equipment to support defense needs. He warned, however, that a deal depends on Moscow’s choices. “For all Russia’s words, Putin is not showing he is ready for peace,” he said. “This only hardens our resolve.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled conditional openness, saying German forces could help monitor a ceasefire but from a neighboring country. “We will certainly have to make compromises,” he said, adding that allies should not expect “textbook diplomatic solutions.” Against wider tensions, including U.S. positions on Greenland and Venezuela, Macron told French television he could not imagine the United States violating Danish sovereignty.