‘Coalition of the Willing’ meets in Paris to discuss Ukraine’s security guarantees

On March 27, Paris hosted a summit attended by nearly 30 country leaders and government representatives known as the “Coalition of the Willing.” This informal group of Ukraine’s partners was formed as a military-political format during the previous summit held in London earlier this month.

The U.S. was notably absent at the high-level assembly as Britain and France re-emerged as Ukraine’s most vocal backers in the global arena.

Organized by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the event sought to develop tangible security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Troops on the ground would be called “reassurance forces.”

Macron said that summit leaders had agreed to continue supporting Ukraine to strengthen its position, The Guardian reports. He also accused Russia of pretending to participate in negotiations while intensifying its attacks on Ukraine.

“He [Macron] says a number of countries involved made further commitments of aid to Ukraine, including the French announcement of 2 billion euros,” the text reads.

Participants agreed that future security guarantees should be based on three main principles. The first involves a strong Ukrainian military, with a joint French-British delegation planning to visit Kyiv to discuss increasing support.

The second one concerns so-called reassurance forces, or peacekeeping troops. These forces will not be stationed on the front lines but will provide support in key areas.

The third principle focuses on stronger efforts to rearm Europe and more clearly define the European position, including its demands during peace negotiations.

Britain’s Starmer said that all coalition members are committed to achieving peace through strength and will continue to pressure Russia.

“That means – first – stepping up the military pressure. So the Defense Secretary will chair the next Ukraine Defense Contact Group [the Ramstein format] on April 11, to marshal more military aid and keep Ukraine in the fight,” Starmer said.

The summit in Paris also discussed increasing economic pressure on Russia, including accelerating tougher sanctions and reducing its income from energy exports.

The Coalition of the Willing leaders unanimously agreed that no sanctions imposed on Russia would be lifted, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, according to Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne.

Countries must cooperate to ensure that pressure on Russia is significant, Starmer said.

This week in London, over 200 military personnel from 30 countries will meet to discuss logistics, command, and deployment on land, in the air, and at sea for a possible peacekeeping mission..

“That work continues at pace. We will be ready to operationalize a peace deal whatever its precise shape turns out to be. And we will work together to ensure Ukraine’s security so it can defend and deter future attacks,” Starmer said.

Zelenskyy invited delegates from all interested countries to join efforts in developing “one clear plan.” He said the plan would be based on the options and proposals already discussed.

“One [plan] that we all agree on and start implementing, based on the options and plans that have already been discussed with you and are available to you,” Zelenskyy said.

Key questions need to be addressed during future military negotiations and discussions across Europe and with other partners, including the U.S., Zelenskyy said.

“Which countries will be involved on the ground, in the sky, and at sea in Ukraine? Where exactly will these forces be located? What will be the numbers and structure of these forces? What will their response procedures be if there’s a threat? And when will our coalition actually deploy forces in Ukraine: when a ceasefire begins or once the war is fully over and a settlement is reached?” the president outlined.

Zelenskyy thanked France, the UK, and all those involved for their genuine desire to help Ukraine build long-term security.

Earlier, Ukrainian World Congress President Paul Grod during his official visit to Australia called on the country to join the Coalition of the Willing.