Coalition of the Willing meets in Paris to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine

Leaders from around 35 countries are gathering in Paris on Tuesday to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, a key element of any future peace deal aimed at ending Russia’s full-scale invasion. Kyiv is pressing for concrete commitments to ensure protection against further aggression.

Euronews reports French President Emmanuel Macron, in his New Year’s address, as saying, “firm commitments” were expected from European states and allies. “On 6 January in Paris, many European states and allies will make concrete commitments to protect Ukraine and ensure a just and lasting peace on our European continent,” Macron declared.

The summit follows a meeting of European national security advisors in Kyiv on 3 January, where discussions centered on a potential peace plan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country is preparing both for the possibility of a peace agreement and the need to continue defending against Russian attacks.

Among those expected to attend in Paris are US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner. The talks will build on a joint statement released in Berlin last month, focusing on long-term commitments designed to prevent future Russian aggression.

One proposal under consideration is a pledge likened to NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause. Such a guarantee would require approval from national parliaments across Europe and potentially endorsement by the US Congress to ease concerns among some governments. Another priority is establishing mechanisms to verify ceasefire breaches, with advanced technology deployed along the contact line to trigger security provisions if violations occur.

Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is also part of the 20-point peace plan, which currently envisions admission by January 2027. EU officials have described the timeline as unrealistic, suggesting a phased entry to avoid disruptions in sectors such as agriculture. For Kyiv, however, securing an accession date remains a top priority to offset potential territorial concessions and bolster public support.

The US administration has repeatedly emphasized that Europe should assume greater responsibility for Ukraine’s future security. Following a December meeting in Florida between President Trump and Zelenskyy, Trump said there would be a “strong” security agreement for Ukraine, adding that European nations were “very much involved.”

One of the most contentious issues in Paris is the possible deployment of troops inside or near Ukraine, though away from frontlines. Russia has stated it will not accept NATO forces on Ukrainian soil.

Zelenskyy has described progress on the peace plan as significant, saying “the 20-point peace plan is 90% agreed and US-Ukraine security guarantees are 100% agreed.” He added that after the Paris summit, documents are expected to be finalized “at the level of all leaders,” paving the way for a subsequent meeting with Trump and European counterparts. If progress continues, Zelenskyy indicated talks with Russia could follow “in one format or another.”

Meanwhile, the conflict continues. On 2 January, emergency services in Kharkiv battled fires after a Russian missile strike, and on 5 January, a Russian drone attack on a Kyiv hospital killed a patient.