France and the United Kingdom have formally agreed to support Ukraine with a future military presence once hostilities with Russia are halted, marking a major shift in Europe’s approach to long-term security in Eastern Europe. The announcement came during a high-level international summit in Paris focused on post-ceasefire stability and deterrence.
The meeting brought together more than 30 nations under a coalition aimed at reinforcing Ukraine’s sovereignty after any negotiated pause in fighting. Among those in attendance were French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
A Framework for Post-Ceasefire Stability
At the heart of the discussions was a joint declaration signed by France, the UK, and Ukraine. The document outlines plans for deploying multinational forces to Ukrainian territory only after a ceasefire is established. These forces would not engage in active combat but would instead focus on air and maritime security, infrastructure protection, and rebuilding Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Officials indicated that military coordination hubs could be established across Ukraine, designed to support training, surveillance, and rapid response in the event of renewed threats. French officials acknowledged that the contribution could involve several thousand troops, while British representatives emphasized operational flexibility rather than fixed numbers.
U.S. Endorsement Without Ground Troops
The Paris talks also drew attention due to visible U.S. participation. American envoys, including senior representatives from Washington and the top U.S. military commander in Europe, attended the summit, signaling political backing for the proposed security model.
Rather than deploying troops, the United States is expected to lead a ceasefire verification system relying on advanced monitoring tools such as satellites, unmanned aerial systems, and ground-based sensors. A dedicated oversight body would be tasked with identifying violations, assigning responsibility, and recommending corrective actions.
Long-Term Security Guarantees
For the first time, coalition members outlined plans for binding, long-term security assurances for Ukraine. These commitments would activate after a ceasefire and could include intelligence sharing, logistical assistance, coordinated diplomacy, and economic measures aimed at deterring future aggression.
Participants described the guarantees as designed to reassure Ukraine that peace would not leave the country vulnerable. The coalition also confirmed plans to establish a permanent coordination office in Paris to manage ongoing cooperation between Ukraine, European partners, and the United States.
Reactions and Ongoing Obstacles
Ukrainian officials welcomed the outcome, calling it a meaningful step toward sustainable peace. British leaders, while optimistic, cautioned that progress depends on Russia’s willingness to engage seriously in negotiations.
Moscow has repeatedly stated it would oppose any agreement involving foreign military forces inside Ukraine, raising questions about how the proposed framework could be implemented. Despite this, European leaders emphasized unity and stressed that planning for peace must continue regardless of current diplomatic resistance.
As negotiations remain uncertain, the Paris summit underscored a growing alignment between Europe and the United States on how a future ceasefire could be secured – and how Ukraine might be protected in the years that follow.
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