Representatives from nations allied with Ukraine convened in Paris, France, on Tuesday for discussions focused on defining Ukraine's security framework following a potential ceasefire with Russia. The talks aimed to establish deterrents against future aggression and outline long-term defense cooperation, with 35 officials, including 27 heads of state and government, participating. The U.S. delegation was represented by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, after Secretary of State Marco Rubio adjusted his plans due to developments concerning a military intervention in Venezuela.
Meeting Objectives
The discussions in Paris sought to achieve concrete outcomes across five primary areas once hostilities conclude:
- Establishing mechanisms to monitor a ceasefire.
- Providing support for Ukraine's armed forces.
- Deploying a multinational force on land, at sea, and in the air.
- Defining commitments in the event of renewed Russian aggression.
- Developing long-term defense cooperation with Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron had previously stated in a December 31 address that allied nations would "make concrete commitments" at the summit to "protect Ukraine and ensure a just and lasting peace."
Geopolitical Context and U.S. Focus
The achievability of the meeting's objectives was noted to be influenced by a shift in U.S. diplomatic focus towards Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, initially scheduled to lead the U.S. delegation, changed his plans due to matters related to the military intervention in Venezuela. The arrival of U.S. envoys Witkoff and Kushner in Paris also followed recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding U.S. interest in Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen publicly responded to these comments, with some European leaders supporting their stance while acknowledging the necessity of U.S. military support for any Ukrainian security agreements.
Ukrainian Perspective and Coalition Efforts
Ukraine seeks firm guarantees of military and other support from the United States, which Kyiv views as necessary to secure similar commitments from other allies. Ukrainian officials have expressed caution regarding ceasefires, citing concerns that they could allow for Russian military regrouping and subsequent offensive actions.
Prior to the U.S. military operation targeting Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, U.S. envoy Witkoff had reported advancements in discussions concerning Ukraine's security. In a December 31 post, Witkoff detailed "productive" discussions involving himself, Rubio, Kushner, and national security advisors from Britain, France, Germany, and Ukraine. These discussions focused on "strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not restart."
France, in coordination with the United Kingdom, has led multinational efforts to facilitate a ceasefire framework. Details provided by France indicate that Ukraine's primary defense against a resumption of war would be its own military, which the coalition intends to strengthen through training, weaponry, and other support. President Macron has also discussed the potential deployment of European forces away from Ukraine's front lines to deter future Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented over the weekend that challenges persist regarding potential European troop deployments. He noted that details are pending finalization, and not all participating nations are prepared to commit forces, with many requiring parliamentary approval for military support. Zelenskyy acknowledged that support could manifest in forms beyond troops, such as "weapons, technologies, and intelligence." He further stated that post-ceasefire deployments in Ukraine by Britain and France, described as nuclear-armed nations in Western Europe, would be "essential." Zelenskyy explained that some coalition members, while not providing military assistance in the form of troops, contribute through "sanctions, financial assistance, and humanitarian aid." He concluded that the viability of the coalition depends on member states' willingness to enhance their contributions.