Coalition of the Willing and US endorse security guarantees for Ukraine

Zelenskyy hailed the deal as 'substantial documents, not just words'

The commitment was formalised in Paris in a declaration of intent signed by France, the United Kingdom and Ukraine.

Representatives from 35 countries, mainly European, attended the summit, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The United States was represented by Washington’s envoy Steve Witkoff and by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed a “significant breakthrough” at a press conference after the signing of a declaration of intent between France, the United Kingdom and Ukraine on the deployment of a multinational force on Ukrainian soil.

“It is important that the coalition now has substantial documents, not just words,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, welcoming the “concrete content” demonstrating a determination to “work for real security”.

Guarantees for Ukraine’s future security, once a ceasefire is agreed with Russia, have been “largely finalised”, said Witkoff. These guarantees allow Ukrainians to know that when this conflict ends, “it will be for good”, he assured.

According to an Elysée adviser, the Paris Declaration was endorsed by the members of the Coalition and discussed in detail with the United States.
Participants at the summit pledged to provide Ukraine with a “proposed US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism”, according to a statement of the Coalition of the Willing.

Earlier in the day, France’s Chief of the Defence Staff, General Fabien Mandon, held talks with his British and Ukrainian counterparts, as well as with the commander of US forces in Europe, to work on the modalities for implementing the security guarantees proposed in Paris.

Between 15,000 and 30,000 Western troops could be deployed on the ground “to support the rebuilding of Ukraine’s armed forces and support deterrence”. France and the United Kingdom would provide the bulk of the troops, while Turkey would be tasked with securing the Black Sea, “with the proposed support of the US”.

The countries signing the Paris declaration also pledged to finance the Ukrainian army, continue their weapons deliveries and provide financial assistance to the government in Kyiv. Long-term partnerships will also be established with Ukraine’s defence industrial and technological base.