French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that 26 countries have agreed to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, including military contingents and assistance, as part of preparations for a potential peace deal with Russia.
The announcement came during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris, marking a significant step forward for the “Coalition of the Willing” — a group of Western nations working on long-term security arrangements for Ukraine.
“Today, this coalition of the willing has already drawn up a certain scheme of military and political involvement in order to guarantee peace and security for Ukraine,” Macron said during the press conference.
The security framework includes two main components: continued strengthening of Ukraine’s armed forces and deployment of what officials call a “reassurance force” from partner countries. The troops would not engage in combat against Russia but would be positioned strategically to deter future aggression, according to French officials.
Macron said US support for the security measures will be finalized “in the coming days,” following coordination with President Donald Trump’s administration. The US has indicated it would provide air support and intelligence rather than ground troops.
“The United States has been involved at every stage of this process,” Macron said, noting that Canada, Asian partners and Europeans would all contribute to the guarantees.
The 26 countries are a mix of nations willing to deploy troops and others providing military assistance, Macron clarified. Of the 35 countries in the broader coalition, the remaining nine “will determine their position in the future,” he said.
Zelenskyy thanked international partners for their support but emphasized that security guarantees must be implemented effectively. The Ukrainian president has been conducting a diplomatic tour across Europe seeking concrete commitments for post-war security arrangements.
Any deployment of international forces would only occur after a ceasefire or peace agreement is reached with Russia. The war, now in its fourth year, continues with no immediate prospects for negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
Russia has categorically rejected the presence of NATO military contingents in Ukraine and insists it must play a role in any security arrangements for its neighbor.
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