Western coalition backs binding security guarantees for Ukraine

A coalition of about 30 Western and European countries agreed on Tuesday at a meeting in Paris that robust and binding security guarantees for Ukraine must be included in any future peace settlement.

Agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine

In a joint declaration, the Coalition of the Willing said they remain committed to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter. 

According to the declaration, the coalition stands ready to put in place a system of politically and legally binding guarantees once a ceasefire takes effect. This will include participation in a U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism, military support for Ukraine and long-term defense cooperation.

France and UK could send soldiers to Ukraine after ceasefire

During the meeting, France and the UK signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal is agreed.

French President Macron said that "several thousand" French soldiers could be deployed to maintain peace in Ukraine following a ceasefire.

In an interview with TV channel France 2 during a Paris meeting of Western and European countries, Macron said that "France will take part in operations" to monitor the Russian-Ukrainian border after a ceasefire agreement is signed.

He stressed, however, that the French soldiers would not be combat forces, adding that France will participate in the "regeneration of the Ukrainian army."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer added that the UK and France could "establish military hubs across Ukraine." 

U.S. backs security guarantees

Unlike previous coalition meetings, the summit was also attended by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner – President Donald Trump's son-in-law – as well as America's top general in Europe, Alexus Grynkewich, who a day earlier discussed details of security guarantees with European army chiefs.

Witkoff, who has led talks with Russia, said after the summit that Trump supports the agreed security protocols.

(With input from agencies)