PARIS — The United States has pledged firm backing for Ukraine’s post-war security, while France and the United Kingdom committed to deploying troops if a ceasefire with Russia is reached, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday.
The commitments were announced at a high-level coalition summit in Paris, bringing together representatives from 35 countries, including 27 heads of state or government, to finalize long-term security guarantees for Kyiv.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the framework would place the United States at the center of ceasefire monitoring, with European participation and the deployment of a multinational European force inside Ukraine.
France, Macron said, could contribute “several thousand” troops as part of the security effort.
US Role in Ceasefire and Deterrence
The Paris meeting marked the first direct US participation in the coalition talks. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside Europe’s top US military commander General Alexus Grynkewich, attended the summit.
Witkoff said President Donald Trump “strongly stands behind security protocols” aimed at both deterring and responding to any future Russian aggression.
Kushner described the summit as a “very, very big milestone”, emphasizing that Ukraine must emerge from any peace deal with credible and lasting security guarantees.
Troop Deployments and Military Hubs
France and the UK confirmed plans to establish “military hubs” inside Ukraine if a ceasefire is agreed. These hubs would house weapons, equipment, and personnel and support Ukraine’s defensive readiness.
Under the proposed framework:
- The US would lead a ceasefire monitoring mechanism using drones, sensors, and satellite surveillance
- No US combat troops would be deployed on Ukrainian soil
- A US-Ukraine coalition coordination cell would be based in Paris
- Continued support for Ukrainian forces would include equipment, training, and potential air, land, and sea backup
Zelenskyy Welcomes ‘Concrete Content’
President Zelenskyy welcomed the commitments, saying the summit delivered “concrete content, not just words.”
He said the coalition had clarified which countries would lead security efforts and reconstruction, though he acknowledged that the territorial question — particularly Russia’s demands regarding the Donbas region — remains the most difficult issue.
“Territory is the hardest point,” Zelenskyy said.
Mixed European Positions
Several European countries offered more cautious support:
- Germany said its forces could be stationed outside Ukraine
- Belgium offered naval and air support
- Croatia and the Czech Republic declined to deploy troops
Nevertheless, leaders including Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni highlighted renewed transatlantic unity on Ukraine’s defense.
Zelenskyy thanked Washington for its willingness to backstop security guarantees, monitoring, and reconstruction, while noting that key operational details remain under negotiation.
Further talks on binding commitments and deployment mechanics are expected in the coming days.
