Paris Hosts “Coalition of the Willing”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in Paris on Thursday for a series of “intensive discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine,” according to Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelenskyy’s office. The goal: build a pact that deters future Russian aggression if a peace deal with Moscow is ever reached.
Key Allies at the Table
- Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President
- Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
- Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor
- Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister
French President Emmanuel Macron and Starmer are co-chairing this “coalition of the willing,” aiming to transform high-level talks into concrete proposals. “Pretty precise plans” for a multinational troop deployment are already on the drawing board, von der Leyen told the Financial Times.
Debate and Dissent
Not everyone is on the same page. Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, called von der Leyen’s comments premature, arguing she lacks the mandate to negotiate military deployments.
What’s at Stake
Security guarantees have become the linchpin of diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine crisis. Kyiv is pushing for a European peacekeeping force and NATO-style defense guarantees, especially if alliance membership remains out of reach. Russia, for its part, has warned it would never tolerate any Western troop presence on Ukrainian soil.
As leaders convene in the City of Light, the world is watching to see whether this summit can deliver a new blueprint for lasting stability in Europe.
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Zelenskyy to discuss security guarantees with key allies in Paris
cgtn.com
