Allies of Ukraine convene with a focus on providing new assistance and security guarantees

Approximately 30 leaders are set to convene in Paris on Thursday to engage with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy regarding the enhancement of military assistance, the evaluation of ceasefire initiatives, and the potential roles they could assume if a peace agreement is reached with Russia.

This third summit, referred to by France as the coalition of the “willing and able,” will include prominent figures such as Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.

President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the primary focus of the discussions will be on immediate support for Ukraine, stating that it is essential to sustain their resistance. During a press conference with Zelenskiy on Wednesday evening, Macron pledged an additional 2 billion euros in military aid from France, while Zelenskiy indicated that other allies might announce their own aid packages during the summit.

The summit aims to establish a European role in any negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. Although the United States will not be represented, French officials have assured that the outcomes will be communicated to the U.S. administration.

The agenda will center on bolstering Ukraine’s military capabilities to prevent future assaults and monitoring limited ceasefires concerning maritime targets and energy infrastructure, as discussed in recent U.S.-led talks in Saudi Arabia. European leaders, spearheaded by Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are transitioning from troop deployment to exploring alternative security arrangements due to political and logistical challenges, as well as potential opposition from Russia and the United States, according to officials who spoke to Reuters.

A concept paper for the summit, reviewed by Reuters, suggests the establishment of a reassurance force in Ukraine, positioned away from the front lines, as part of a future peace agreement and with U.S. support. This reassurance force would aim to provide security guarantees and deter any future aggression from Russia.

Macron stated, “The goal is to enable Ukraine to maintain control of the situation and withstand Russian aggression, while also establishing credible foundations for lasting peace.” Zelenskiy expressed his hope for greater clarity regarding which nations would ultimately commit to such a force. “We anticipate new and decisive actions.

It is essential to advance discussions on security guarantees and the presence of partner contingents in Ukraine,” he remarked. “We will assess what can and cannot be accomplished. The situation is complex, and I believe it is still premature.” Highlighting the challenges, both Ukraine and Russia accused each other on Wednesday of violating a truce concerning energy strikes that was facilitated by the United States.

Additionally, the European Union announced it would not comply with the conditions set by Russia for a proposed ceasefire in the Black Sea.