«A historic day» exulted Emmanuel Macron: the coalition of the Willing, 35 countries represented in Paris, have launched the controversial «security guarantees» for Ukraine when and if the ceasefire is reached. This time with a long meeting attended by Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The role of the United States and European military participation
The United States will “monitor” the truce with an operation in which the Europeans will “participate” with the militaries of the countries that have given their availability.
For now, France and Great Britain have already signed, while Germina has said it is willing to send its forces to a NATO country bordering Ukraine. Giorgia Meloni instead confirmed “Italy’s support for the security of Ukraine, in line with what has always been done” reiterating “the exclusion of Italian troops on the ground”.
Zelensky’s satisfaction: “Now documents, not just words”
Zelensky appeared very satisfied with the results achieved on Western security guarantees, which become “binding” for the allies: “It is important – he observed in the final press conference at the Elysée, alongside Macron, Keir Starmer and Friedrich Merz – that the coalition now has substantial documents, and not just words.” After so many months there are “concrete contents” and a determination “for real security”.
The unprecedented convergence between Europe and the United States
Macron spoke of “a robust security architecture” and it was up to him again, immediately after the conclusion of the work, to announce that security guarantees now see an “unprecedented convergence”. Not only among the Europeans but also and above all with the USA which has said it is ready to support the multinational force in the post-war period and to intervene in the event of a new Russian attack. “Trump never reneges on his commitments” and “he is committed to Ukraine”, underlined the American envoy Witkoff. At his side was Jared Kushner who spoke of “a fundamental, very important stage”.
“It is not yet peace”: the American message in Kiev
But it still doesn’t mean peace, he remarked by throwing a ball in Kiev’s field: “He must know that if he accepts the agreement on the peace plan, he will be safe.”
The multinational force after the truce: times and methods
On the operational front, Macron explained that the multinational force will be deployed from the day following the entry into force of the truce, “in the skies, seas and on the ground”, but always “far from the line of contact”. “Preparations are underway”, specified the French president.
The surveillance mechanisms of the truce under US leadership
The 35 and the American counterpart reached an agreement with Kiev for the entry into force of «truce surveillance mechanisms» in Ukraine which «will be placed under American leadership», but «with contributions from various states that have announced their availability» with «a coordination cell that will allow all the competent armies to be fully integrated and which will allow coordination between the Coalition of the Willing, the United States of America and Ukraine». This set of guarantees, made operational by the militaries of the willing countries of the Willing with American support, are “the key to ensuring that a peace agreement can never mean – added Macron – a Ukrainian surrender and a peace agreement can never mean a new threat” to Kiev from Russia.
No phone call to Trump and next steps
This time, as announced on the eve of the Elysée advisors, there was no phone call to Donald Trump after the meeting of the Willing, because the American president had ensured his presence at the decisive meeting through his trusted emissaries, Witkoff and Kushner. The work is not finished and will continue tomorrow: the American team will remain in Paris for technical and operational meetings with the Volenterosi counterparts.
Five security guarantees and coordination with the United States
Five security guarantees for Ukraine and close coordination also involving the United States. The Coalition of the Willing that met today in Paris has put down on paper its commitments to support Kiev against the Russian invasion.
The commitment to a just and lasting peace
«We all underlined our commitment to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter, and we welcomed the progress made, including in the discussions between Americans, Ukrainians, Europeans and other partners», reads the note issued at the end of the meeting.
“In particular, the Coalition made clear that Ukraine’s ability to defend itself is of fundamental importance to ensure the future of the collective security of Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic area,” it was underlined.
Binding guarantees to support the peace agreement
«We confirmed that guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty and lasting security will be an integral part of a peace agreement and that any agreement will have to be supported by strong security guarantees for Ukraine. We are ready to engage in a system of politically and legally binding guarantees that will be activated once the ceasefire comes into force, in addition to bilateral security agreements and in accordance with our respective legal and constitutional arrangements,” the meeting participants assured.
A US-Ukraine-Coalition coordination cell in Paris
It was also decided to establish a US/Ukraine/Coalition of the Willing coordination cell at the Coalition’s operational headquarters in Paris.
The five pillars of the agreement: monitoring the ceasefire
These are the five pillars of the agreement reached today, as reported in the official press release.
1. Participation in a US-proposed ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism. «A continuous and reliable ceasefire monitoring system will be established, which will include contributions from members of the Coalition of the Willing. The Coalition of the Willing will also be represented in the special commission that will be established to address any violations, assign responsibility and determine remedies.”
2. Support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. «The Coalition agreed to continue providing long-term military assistance and armaments to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to ensure their capability in a sustainable manner, as they will remain the first line of defense and deterrence.
This will include, but is not limited to: long-term defense packages; support for financing the purchase of weapons; continued cooperation with Ukraine on the national budget to finance the armed forces; access to defense depots capable of providing rapid additional support in the event of a future armed attack; provision of practical and technical support to Ukraine in the construction of defensive fortifications”.
3. A multinational force for Ukraine with contributions from coalition nations to support the reconstruction of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and support deterrence.
«Coordinated military planning was conducted to prepare reassurance measures in the air, at sea and on land and for the regeneration of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We confirmed that these reassurance measures should be strictly implemented at Ukraine’s request once a credible cessation of hostilities has occurred. These elements will be led by Europe, with the involvement of non-European members of the Coalition and the support proposed by the United States.”
4. Binding commitments to support Ukraine in the event of a future armed attack by Russia in order to restore peace.
«We agreed to finalize binding commitments that set out our approach to supporting Ukraine and restoring peace and security in the event of a future armed attack by Russia. Such commitments may include the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, adoption of further sanctions.”
5. Commitment to deepen long-term defense cooperation with Ukraine.
“We agreed to continue to develop and deepen mutually beneficial defense cooperation with Ukraine, inter alia: training, joint production in the defense sector, including with the use of relevant European instruments, and intelligence cooperation.”