In a significant move to guarantee Ukraine's long-term security, the United Kingdom and France have inked a binding pact with Kyiv, committing to deploy military forces on Ukrainian soil once a peace deal with Russia is finalised. The announcement was made by new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a major summit in Paris, forming a new international alliance dedicated to Ukraine's defence.
The 'Coalition of the Willing': A 35-Nation Security Shield
The agreement was forged at the inaugural meeting of the 'Coalition of the Willing', an alliance comprising 35 nations that have banded together specifically to discuss and ensure Ukraine's security amidst the ongoing war with Russia. The coalition's central plan involves deploying multinational 'peacekeeping forces' in Ukraine after the Russo-Ukrainian war concludes.
The summit, held at the Elysee Palace in Paris, saw the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Britain's Keir Starmer. The US also joined the talks, aligning with transatlantic efforts, and sent a delegation that included Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
UK-France Pact: Military Hubs and Troop Deployment
The core of the UK-France agreement is a commitment to 'establish military hubs across Ukraine' to deter and prevent any future invasion attempts. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the signing of this declaration creates the legal framework for French and British forces to operate in Ukraine, focusing on securing the country's skies and seas and building a modern defence force.
'The multinational force will act as a reassurance in the long run for Ukraine,' a British statement clarified. French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that this could involve deploying 'several thousand troops' from France alone. The envisioned hubs are meant to build and protect critical defence facilities for Kyiv.
US Role and Stalled Peace Efforts
While the European powers prepare for a military presence, the United States has agreed to lead a different mechanism. Washington will oversee a ceasefire monitoring and verification system using drones, sensors, and satellites, explicitly without deploying US troops on the ground.
This new coalition effort comes amid stalled broader peace talks. The war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, has seen numerous diplomatic initiatives fail. Most recently, a 20-point peace plan floated by US President Donald Trump showed initial momentum but has not yielded an agreement, primarily due to Russia's unwillingness to compromise on its control of the Donbas region.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of Donetsk and 99% of Luhansk. Russia has also previously warned that any foreign troops joining the conflict would be considered 'legitimate targets.'
President Zelenskyy hailed the coalition's agreement as a 'huge step forward,' thanking the leaders for being part of a peaceful solution. The agenda for the Paris meet was explicitly to develop a multinational force that would provide concrete security guarantees for Ukraine against any future aggression, marking a shift from financial and weapon aid to a more direct, long-term security commitment from key Western allies.
