Paris Summit: Allies Unite for Ukraines Security Amid Ongoing Conflict

Key European allies of Ukraine, alongside senior U.S. diplomats, are convening with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Tuesday in a renewed effort to establish security guarantees for any possible ceasefire in the ongoing conflict instigated by Russia.

This gathering, referred to as the Coalition of the Willing, occurs despite the continued hostilities nearly four years into what is now Europe’s most devastating conflict since World War II.

The recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has caused concern among some European nations and introduced a new layer of uncertainty to transatlantic relations.

Certain coalition members are looking to deploy a multinational force to Ukraine to deter any future Russian aggression should the conflict, ignited by Russia’s invasion in February 2022, come to an end.

However, no agreements on a ceasefire have been reached, as both parties remain divided over territorial issues in a potential post-war settlement, with Kyiv insisting on the withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied Ukrainian lands.

Russia has consistently opposed the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine to oversee any ceasefire.

Representatives from 35 nations, including 27 heads of state, are expected to convene in Paris for this summit.

The French presidency indicated that the purpose of the meeting is to demonstrate the unified stance of Washington, Kyiv, and European partners regarding security guarantees for Ukraine.

Upon his arrival in Paris, Zelensky met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace for a one-on-one discussion, followed by a lunch with other attendees, including U.S. representatives.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner, attended the coalition meeting, which was initiated last year by France and Britain.

Among the leaders present at the Paris discussions were British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as per diplomatic sources.

European leaders have tread carefully, refraining from overtly condemning the U.S. operation to detain Maduro, while expressing concerns over its implications for international law.

Prior to his departure for Paris, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the goal of the meeting is to «strengthen and align European and American positions.»

He noted that «only such pressure can compel the Russians to take the matter of a ceasefire—and subsequently peace—seriously.» However, he cautioned against expecting definitive decisions to emerge from the Paris meeting.

An adviser to Macron mentioned that this new gathering is the culmination of efforts that began after Trump’s inauguration aimed at preventing «the United States from turning its back on Ukraine.»

European leaders are expected to reach a consensus regarding what a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine should entail and how to respond to any violations.

They will also explore the possibility of deploying a multinational force to «provide reassurance to Ukraine» as part of a potential political agreement, according to the French presidency.

To lay the groundwork for these discussions, security advisors from 15 countries, including the UK, France, and Germany, as well as representatives from NATO and the European Union, convened in Kyiv over the weekend, with Witkoff participating virtually.

Recent reports from Kyiv suggest that a deal is «90%» finalized.

However, Russia, which controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, is advocating for complete dominance over the eastern Donbas region as part of any agreement.

Kyiv has warned that conceding land will only encourage Moscow and has made it clear it will not accept a peace treaty that does not prevent future invasions.

On Sunday, Merz remarked that diplomatic efforts are being pursued «under challenging conditions.»

«Russia shows little willingness to negotiate, President Zelensky is struggling to maintain unity among Ukrainians, and the transatlantic partnership has changed significantly,» he conveyed in a letter to lawmakers, a copy of which was obtained by AFP on Tuesday.

«We seek a ceasefire that upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty, which we desire to be supported by security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe.»