French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Paris in preparation for a summit of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, a group of countries ready to provide Ukraine with long-term security guarantees. Macron announced an additional €2 billion in military aid to Ukraine during a press conference, including equipment like anti-tank missiles, fighter jet missiles, air defense missiles, drones, and armoured vehicles. The upcoming summit will focus on the future format of the Ukrainian armed forces to ensure their ability to resist attacks and maintain security. Macron clarified that peacekeeping troops would not be engaged on the front lines but could be stationed in strategic towns or bases.
Zelenskyy expressed hope that the United States would enforce a ceasefire, mentioning discussions that unlocked aid and intelligence from the US. The US claimed to have brokered a deal to end fighting in the Black Sea in talks with Ukraine and Russia, but Moscow stated they would only respect the ceasefire if sanctions were lifted. Macron rejected the idea of easing sanctions on Russia, insisting that peace through strength does not involve removing sanctions, and that their removal depends on Russia complying with international law. The US had recently announced easing sanctions on Russian agricultural trade, but Zelenskyy stressed the importance of maintaining and strengthening sanctions against Moscow to use force-based diplomacy effectively.
The French President emphasized the priority of strengthening Ukraine’s military through the new aid package, highlighting that the potential deployment of peacekeeping forces would be a secondary measure. These forces could hold positions behind the front lines in strategic locations to support Ukraine’s security. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the continued support from the US and hoped for their commitment to ensuring a ceasefire. Discussions with the US had reportedly led to unlocking aid and intelligence crucial for Ukraine’s defense. Russia’s stance on the ceasefire was conditional on the lifting of sanctions, which Macron deemed premature and tied to Russia’s adherence to international laws.
The upcoming summit in Paris will bring together world leaders to address Ukraine’s long-term security needs and the future format of the Ukrainian armed forces. Macron and Zelenskyy’s joint efforts aim to bolster Ukraine’s defenses and ensure its capability to resist potential attacks. The potential deployment of peacekeeping forces behind the front lines is under consideration as part of a comprehensive security strategy. Despite US efforts to broker a ceasefire deal, Moscow’s insistence on sanctions being lifted as a condition for compliance highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region. Macron’s stance on maintaining and potentially strengthening sanctions against Russia underscores the importance of diplomacy backed by force to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Zelenskyy’s comments on the necessity of sanctions against Russia coincided with Macron’s position on the matter, as he urged for the continued enforcement of sanctions and their potential reinforcement. The French President’s rejection of easing sanctions aligned with Zelenskyy’s assertion that diplomacy relying on force is the most effective approach in dealing with Russia. The joint commitment of France and Ukraine to upholding sanctions and pursuing a peace through strength approach underscores the united front against Russian aggression and the emphasis on maintaining international cooperation to ensure security in the region. The upcoming summit in Paris represents a crucial step in addressing Ukraine’s security needs and solidifying support from the international community.
