PARIS — Ukraine’s allies gathered in the French capital on Tuesday in a high-stakes effort to transform broad political assurances into concrete security guarantees for Kyiv, as diplomacy to end the war with Russia enters a more urgent and uncertain phase, according to Reuters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy joined more than 27 world leaders, alongside senior U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, in talks aimed at forging a unified Ukrainian, European, and American position—one that could eventually be presented to Moscow if ceasefire negotiations gain traction.
The meetings come as efforts to halt the nearly four-year conflict have accelerated in recent months, though battlefield fighting continues unabated and Russia has shown little willingness to compromise, particularly over territorial control. Diplomats say this impasse has sharpened the urgency of offering Ukraine credible, long-term security assurances should hostilities pause or stop.
According to officials familiar with the agenda, military planners, including Ukraine’s top general, have been working behind the scenes in Paris to convert previously vague pledges into specific commitments. Central to the discussions is the possible creation of a multinational force that would support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, operating in coordination with Kyiv and with backing from the United States.
The talks also aim to secure broader guarantees, including binding commitments from participating nations to respond should Ukraine face renewed aggression. These measures would form the backbone of what officials describe as a “Coalition of the Willing,” designed to align military planning with diplomatic positions held by Ukraine, Europe, and Washington.
French officials said operational details of the guarantees have already been agreed upon, emphasizing the need for sustained, long-term engagement from all partners. European diplomats hope that clearer commitments from the coalition will also reinforce U.S. involvement, which has so far been outlined primarily through bilateral channels.
In a televised address on Sunday, Zelenskiy said Ukraine remains committed to peace but is preparing for all outcomes. “We are pursuing diplomacy,” he said, “but we will continue active defense if pressure on Russia proves insufficient.”
