The Coalition of the Willing made new progress on security guarantees for Ukraine during the Paris meeting. The aim of the meeting was to finalise as much as possible the contributions to future security guarantees to reassure Kiev in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. The declaration on the sidelines of the meeting was signed by Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in a statement, added that the talks were constructive and underlined the high level of agreement between Ukraine, the US, Europe and other partners on measures aimed at ensuring a lasting and just peace.
"A key theme of the discussions was the refinement of security commitments inspired by NATO's Article 5, a model that Italy has long advocated and which would be enshrined in a broader package of agreements closely coordinated with Washington," said the statement released by Meloni's press office.
The proposed system aims to protect Ukraine's sovereignty through enhanced military capabilities and a robust mechanism to monitor a possible ceasefire.
The participation of countries in the multinational force will be voluntary
According to the declaration adopted in Paris, the declaration stresses the voluntary nature of countries' participation in the future multinational force and the requirement that national constitutional procedures be followed in the event of renewed attack before assistance is provided.
Meloni reiterated during the meeting that no Italian troops would be deployed on Ukrainian territory.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that the signing of security guarantees for Ukraine, including the deployment of a multinational military force, would deter further aggressive acts against Ukraine.
These security guarantees will ensure that Ukraine will not be forced to capitulate and that no peace agreement will be violated in the future, Macron told reporters after a meeting of the coalition of the willing.
The security guarantees are largely in place
US envoy Steve Witkoff also confirmed Tuesday that significant progress has been made on several critical issues facing Ukraine, including security guarantees and the "prosperity plan."
"The coalition and I agree that durable security guarantees and strong prosperity commitments are essential for lasting peace in Ukraine, and we will continue to work together on these efforts," Witkoff stressed in a post on X, adding that the security guarantees are largely done.
Inseparable from the guarantees, according to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is the reconstruction of Ukraine. "Economic strength will be necessary to ensure that Ukraine can continue to credibly block Russia," Merz added.
Spain has offered its army
European Council President António Costa said the European Union was ready to support a peace deal in Ukraine through civilian and military missions on the ground.
"We will help with our EU civilian and military missions on the ground. Ukraine needs to be in the strongest possible position - before, during and after any ceasefire," he was heard saying after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Spain has offered to have its military help consolidate peace in Ukraine once a ceasefire is agreed there. "The Spanish government will propose that we open the door to military participation in Ukraine," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez explained, adding that he would discuss such participation with the main political parties in his country.
Starmer: Peace is closer than ever
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed that peace in Ukraine is closer than ever, although the "toughest stretches" are yet to come.
Starmer also said after the meeting in Paris that Britain would be involved in monitoring and verifying any US-led ceasefire.
He said Britain would continue to put pressure on Russia, including through further action against oil traders and shadow fleet operators who support Moscow.
(reuters, gko)