The 35 countries of the “Alliance of the Willing” today ratified the “Paris declaration”, which details “strong security guarantees for stable and lasting peace” in , announced the French president, who welcomed the “operational convergence” between its members.
The security guarantees that the countries, mainly European, of the coalition after the hypothetical end of the hostilities are “the key to ensure that a peace agreement can never mean the surrender of Ukraine and that a peace agreement can never mean a new threat to Ukraine from Russia”, he said at a press conference, after the conclusion of the Summit.
The French president announced, at the same time, the creation of “a coordination core that will allow the full integration of all relevant armed forces and will enable coordination between the Coalition of the Willing, the United States of America and Ukraine.”
Macron then elaborated further and announced the continuation of “preparations for the deployment of a multinational force in the air, at sea and on the ground” after a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, a scenario that still remains a long way off.
The force, which has been under consideration for several months, is intended to “provide a kind of reassurance in the days following the ceasefire,” as Emmanuel Macron said.
He also stated that the ceasefire monitoring mechanisms will be under American leadership”, while also noting the special role that Turkey will play in terms of security in the Black Sea, as reported by press reports.
A little earlier, the French president, together with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, had signed, in front of the cameras, a declaration of intent for the development of this force.
“The most difficult steps are ahead of us”
The British Prime Minister said today that peace in Ukraine is closer than ever, although the “hardest steps” are still ahead.
Starmer, speaking after meeting in Paris with leaders of Ukraine’s “Coalition of the Willing” allies, also said Britain would be involved in monitoring and overseeing any US-led ceasefire.
The prime minister said his country would continue to put pressure on Russia, including with further measures against oil traders and operators of the shadow fleet that support Moscow.
“Compromises will be needed to achieve peace”
German troops could join the multinational force once a ceasefire is reached with Russia in a NATO member country neighboring Ukraine, the chancellor said today.
“Germany will commit itself politically, economically and militarily. This may include, for example, sending forces to Ukraine on neighboring NATO territory after the ceasefire,” the German chancellor said after the meeting in Paris.
Once an agreement is reached on the creation of an international force “supported” by US military means, the government and parliament “will decide on the nature and extent of the German contribution”, he said, adding that currently Berlin “is not ruling out any option”.
“This is not only about military support in Ukraine, but also about military support for peace and freedom across Europe,” he stressed.
“Today, as the war enters its fourth year, Germany is Kiev’s staunchest supporter,” he said. “It will also assume responsibility for the security of Ukraine after the ceasefire.”
The German chancellor also stressed the need to make “compromises” to achieve peace in Ukraine.
“We will make every effort, with persistence, realism and foresight, to achieve the best possible result: a stable ceasefire, a strong security guarantee and peace in Europe that will closely connect Ukraine and Europeans and that we will build together,” he added.
Italy refuses to send troops to Ukraine
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that the Coalition of the Willing made new progress on the issue of NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine, that the talks were constructive and underlined the high degree of alignment between Ukraine, the United States, Europe and other partners on measures aimed at ensuring a lasting and just peace.
It recalled, for its part, in a statement, its refusal to send troops to Ukraine.
“We will help with civil and military missions on the ground”
EU Council President Antonio Costa said the European Union is ready to support a peace deal in Ukraine with political and military missions on the ground.
“We will help with the EU’s civilian and military missions on the ground. Ukraine must be in the strongest position possible – before, during and after any ceasefire,” he said after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris during a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.
“To open the door to military involvement in Ukraine”
Spain will offer its military aid to consolidate peace in Ukraine after a ceasefire is negotiated there, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said after the meeting.
“The Spanish government will propose that we open the door to military involvement in Ukraine,” he said, adding that he would discuss such involvement with the main political parties in his country.
“Substantial documents and not just words”
Today from Paris, the president of Ukraine expressed his satisfaction with the results of the international summit on the Ukrainian issue, stressing that it is extremely important to have written commitments to provide security guarantees to Kiev immediately after reaching peace with the Russian side.
“It is important that the coalition now has substantial documents and not just words,” he told a press conference after the summit, praising the “concrete content” that he said demonstrated the will to “work for real security.”
From the American side, President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said that the special significance of today’s decision lies in the fact that Ukraine now knows that once peace is reached with Russia, this peace will be final.
