In a significant diplomatic push, the administration of US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's key allies moved closer to finalising a framework for long-term security guarantees for Kyiv during a high-level meeting in Paris on Tuesday. The gathering of the "coalition of the willing" saw notable progress, with officials stating that security protocols were largely completed.
Breakthrough in Security Protocols and Troop Commitments
Special US envoy Steve Witkoff, who represented Washington at the talks, announced that the coalition had made substantial headway. The security protocols, described as "as strong as anyone has ever seen," were reported to be "largely finished." In a parallel development, France and the United Kingdom separately committed to sending troops to Ukraine. This deployment would be part of a multinational "reassurance force" activated only after a peace deal with Russia is secured.
The Paris meeting brought together European, Canadian, and other international leaders with senior US officials, including Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law. The core agenda was to discuss a concrete plan to end the four-year war with Russia and establish measures to prevent future aggression post-agreement.
A "Backstop" for Ukraine and Post-War Mechanisms
French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the meeting's outcome, stating it reflected for the first time an "operational convergence" between the 35 coalition countries, Ukraine, and the United States. He characterised the proposed US security guarantees as the crucial "backstop" that Ukraine's partners have long sought to ensure European security commitments.
The coalition's post-meeting statement outlined several key mechanisms:
- A US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification system to identify violations, assign responsibility, and propose remedies.
- A pledge for continued long-term military assistance to Ukraine.
- The establishment of a multinational force to prepare reassurance measures across air, land, and sea domains, to be led by European nations with support from non-European coalition members.
Discussions among the allies are set to continue on Wednesday in Paris to build on the current momentum, which hinges significantly on US commitments.
Sticking Points and Critical Endorsements Needed
Despite the progress, significant hurdles remain. The role and scale of a potential Western troop presence in Ukraine after the war are still undefined. The most contentious issue is territory, with Russia demanding a Ukrainian withdrawal from the eastern Donbas region—a condition President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has consistently rejected.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy cautioned that Tuesday's progress was "still not enough to have peace." He has previously requested security guarantees spanning up to half a century, though current proposals suggest an initial 15-year term with options for extension.
Any final agreement on guarantees would require the approval of President Trump. The Kremlin has not yet signalled whether it would accept this diplomatic initiative from the transatlantic alliance.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed readiness for Germany to contribute troops to a peacekeeping mission post-ceasefire. He emphasised the need for "strong, legally binding security guarantees" backed by a US "backstop" to solidify European pledges.
As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney noted ahead of the talks, while details may still be refined, the process carries significant momentum, indicating this session was not a "make or break" moment but a pivotal step forward.
