World leaders, including representatives from 31 countries, are set to gather in Paris for a high-stakes summit on Ukraine’s security, following the announcement of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea by the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron will be hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a working dinner ahead of the summit to discuss the reinforcement of military and financial support for Ukraine. The summit aims to finalize the security guarantees European nations are willing to offer, including the potential deployment of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. France, the UK, and Ukraine are working on presenting a peace treaty to the US, which would form a “coalition of the willing.”
The ceasefire announcement by the United States between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, while a positive step, has been described by French officials as a “first step” and insufficient for a lasting ceasefire. The Élysée Palace emphasized that all efforts are being coordinated with Washington, with Macron set to brief President Donald Trump on the outcomes of the summit. Tensions have been escalating between the US and the EU, with leaked conversations revealing disdain from top US national security officials towards Europe. The summit will address key discussion points, including bolstering aid to Ukraine, securing a complete ceasefire, and providing long-term support for the Ukrainian army as a defense against further Russian aggression.
One of the primary objectives of the summit is to increase support for Ukraine, with each participating country expected to outline their contributions. Securing a complete ceasefire will be a focus, with Russia yet to state its position on the matter. France remains skeptical of Russian promises, citing past cheating and manipulation by Russia. Long-term support for the Ukrainian army is seen as crucial to prevent further Russian aggression, with the potential establishment of a reassurance force, which could involve deploying peacekeeping troops. This option is supported by France and the UK but faces opposition from countries like Italy and Poland within the 27-nation bloc.
The summit is expected to gather leaders from NATO and EU member countries to discuss long-term security guarantees for Ukraine and potential responses to the ongoing conflict with Russia. The summit will address the reinforcement of military and financial support for Ukraine, with France making this its top priority. As discussions around security guarantees and the potential deployment of peacekeeping troops continue, the summit comes at a pivotal moment following the announcement of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. All efforts are being conducted in coordination with the United States, with Macron set to brief President Trump on the outcomes of the summit.
The potential establishment of a “coalition of the willing” through a peace treaty presented to the US by France, the UK, and Ukraine is among the key objectives of the summit. The summit aims to determine the security guarantees that European nations are willing to offer and address issues like the complete ceasefire and long-term support for Ukraine. The summit comes amid tensions between the US and the EU, with leaked conversations revealing disdain towards Europe from top US officials. As discussions around the deployment of peacekeeping troops and other security measures continue, the summit will play a crucial role in shaping the response to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.