Paris gathers Kyiv’s allies… Post-war guarantees on the table
A meeting hosted by Paris on Tuesday is expected to provide security guarantees for Ukraine should it reach an agreement to end the war with Russia.
Ukraine’s allies will meet in Paris on Tuesday, seeking to finalize their contributions to future security guarantees for Kyiv, in order to reassure it in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join more than 27 leaders in the French capital, alongside U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as part of broader efforts to shape a joint Ukrainian, European, and American position that could later be conveyed to Russia.
Since last November, talks aimed at ending the conflict — which began nearly four years ago — have accelerated. However, there are few signs that Russia is ready to accept the current proposals on the table, with the issue of territory remaining a major obstacle to negotiations and no indication that the intensity of fighting between the two sides is easing.
Diplomats said ahead of today’s meeting that military officials — including Ukraine’s Chief of the General Staff — traveled to Paris to draft concrete commitments, enabling leaders to provide political backing. So far, military pledges have largely remained vague.
A memo sent to the thirty-five invited delegations, seen by Reuters, said the meeting will focus on securing contributions to a multinational force for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, in coordination with Kyiv and with U.S. support.
The meeting also aims to agree on a broader set of security guarantees for Ukraine, including binding commitments if it is attacked again. Efforts will be made to ensure coordination between the plans of the “coalition of the willing” supporting Ukraine and the negotiating positions of Kyiv, the United States, and Europe.
The memo also proposes agreeing on next steps to increase support for Ukraine and to step up pressure on Russia if Moscow refuses to engage in serious negotiations.
A French presidential official told reporters ahead of the summit: “We have reached agreement on the practical details of the security guarantees. We will explain how they will be organized and the need for a long-term commitment from all parties involved.”
According to a senior European official, the hope is that consolidating the coalition’s guarantees will also help reinforce U.S. commitments, which have largely been outlined in bilateral discussions with Ukraine.
In his address to the nation last Sunday, Zelensky said that meetings in Europe should contribute to Ukraine’s defense and bring efforts to end the war closer.
He added: “Ukraine will prepare for both possibilities: diplomacy — which we pursue — or more active defense if partners’ pressure on Russia proves insufficient. Ukraine wants peace.”
