US backs security guarantees for Ukraine, as France and UK pledge troops

In response to France and the United Kingdom promising to send forces to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, the United States has supported security guarantees for the country, including leading a monitoring mechanism.

At a summit of the “Coalition of the Willing” in Paris on Tuesday, where 27 heads of state or government gathered to ratify post-war commitments for Kyiv, the pledges were made.

In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea and launched a massive invasion in 2022.

The “robust” guarantees, according to French President Emmanuel Macron, would see the US take the lead in a truce monitoring mechanism with European participation and the deployment of a multinational European force.

Following the discussions, Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, and Keir Starmer, prime minister of the United Kingdom, signed a declaration of intent that provided the framework for a deployment of this nature.

According to Macron, Paris could contribute “several thousand” troops.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as Alexus Grynkewich, Washington’s top general in Europe, took part in the summit as a sign of closer transatlantic coordination. The US envoys’ participation in the coalition’s discussions was the first time.

Trump “strongly supports security protocols,” according to Witkoff, who has initiated discussions with Russia, and that the guarantees are “important so that the people of Ukraine know that when this ends, it ends forever.”

According to him, “Those security protocols are intended to a) deter any attacks or any additional attacks in Ukraine.” And b) they are supposed to defend against any attacks and will do both.

Kushner referred to the Parisian meeting as “a very, very, big milestone.”

He claimed that Ukrainians must know that if they were to reach a final agreement, they would be secure, they would have a strong deterrent, and there would be real backstops to prevent this from occurring again.

The allies will take part in a proposed US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification process, which the coalition stated in a statement.

Additionally, the coalition agreed to fund the establishment of a US-Ukraine-Coalition coordination unit in Paris, as well as continuing to provide equipment and training to Kyiv’s front-line forces and provide logistical support for any upcoming Russian attacks.

The statement also mentions strengthening Ukraine’s war-battered army, including by replenishing its weapons stocks, in order to serve as the nation’s first line deterrent in the event of a new round of fighting.

The allies emphasized that “binding commitments” regarding their support for Ukraine must still be finalized.

Details of a US role were limped out of an earlier draft, particularly the language that outlined the use of US capabilities to support a multinational force in Ukraine. The statement was not specifically endorsed by the US.

However, European officials praised the US envoys’ strong words as proof that Washington supported the security framework.

Russia has not commented on the Paris meeting and has not indicated whether it will accept a Ukrainian settlement supported by foreign troops, a requirement it has previously rejected.

Despite growing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, Moscow has not reaffirmed its willingness to compromise despite occupying roughly a fifth of Ukrainian territory.

Starmer noted that Russian attacks on Ukraine continue, but that “the hardest yards are still ahead” despite claiming that the meeting had made “excellent progress”. He claimed that Russia’s compromises would be the only way to bring about peace.

In order to support Ukraine’s defensive needs, Starmer claimed that the UK and France “will establish military hubs across Ukraine and construct protected facilities for weapons and military equipment.”

Zelenskyy applauded the Ukraine-proposed security guarantees.

The coalition’s existence of today’s substantive documents is important. These are more than just words. He added that there is “a joint declaration from all the coalition countries and a trilateral declaration from France, Britain, and Ukraine.”

He claimed that the discussions had “determined” which nations would take the lead in ensuring security and reconstruction, as well as which forces were required and how they would be managed. According to him, the territorial question, which Russia demands Ukraine give up its eastern Donbass region, is the most important issue that needs to be resolved.

Zelenskyy&nbsp, a member of the group that met with Zelenskyy&nbsp, wrote on Telegram that the agreements “show how seriously Europe and the entire coalition of the willing are ready to work for real security.”

He added that how the monitoring would operate and how the funding for the Ukrainian army would be determined.

He continued, saying that the US is “ready to be a backstop in all areas,” citing “security guarantees, monitoring a ceasefire, and rebuilding,” and that the Ukrainian delegation would continue its discussions on important issues on Wednesday.

Germany’s decision to be more cautious was welcomed.

German forces would be stationed in a neighboring nation, according to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said a ceasefire could be monitored by German forces. He continued, “We will definitely have to make compromises,” adding that “we won’t find textbook diplomatic solutions.”

Croatia and the Czech Republic both declared they would not deploy troops, while Belgium said it would support the effort via its air force and navy.

Macron, Starmer, the Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, and Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy, all made the remarks at the meeting, citing the renewed stance of Europe and the US toward helping Ukraine.

Source: Aljazeera