Paris (TDI): In a summit hosted by France, 26 European countries agreed to extend postwar security guarantees to Ukraine through an international force across land, sea, and air that will work to deter any possible Russian aggression.
These plans were revealed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who has hosted similar similar summits in Paris before, with Zelenskyy also participating.
“The day the conflict stops, the security guarantees will be deployed,” Macron told a press conference at the Elysee Palace after the summit had concluded.
The coalition of the willing, which is a group of European countries who consider themselves responsible for Ukraine’s security, plans to contribute in different ways.
Some countries may deploy troops, while others might offer training, equipment, or logistical support. France and the United Kingdom are among those open to troop deployments.
Meanwhile, Italy and Bulgaria opted out of sending forces, instead agreed to offer assistance in ceasefire monitoring and Black Sea operations.
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Germany said it will make a decision regarding troops once conditions are clear and once more is known about the extent of US involvement in the framework.
Ukrainian President hailed the agreement as “serious” and “specific.” Since the White House meetings, Zelenskyy has been pushing for concrete security guarantees.
Although US involvement in the guarantees remains to be finalized, Macron said that coordination is already underway. Speaking in a call after the summit, President Trump urged Europe to halt purchases of Russian oil.
Macron also said that the US and the coalition agree on working closely on future sanctions on Russia’s oil sector, and on China too.
A day earlier, on Wednesday, Putin said he was willing to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, but only in Moscow and only if such a meeting was carefully prepared to produce “real outcomes.” Kyiv quickly dismissed Moscow as an unacceptable venue for any talks.
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