PARIS, January 7, 2026 – Leaders from the "Coalition of the Willing" – a group of over 35 countries supporting Ukraine – concluded a high-level summit in Paris on Tuesday, announcing a unified approach to post-ceasefire security guarantees for Kyiv, with a prominent role for the United States in monitoring any future truce with Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the agreement as a historic step, highlighting the establishment of a ceasefire monitoring mechanism under U.S. leadership. “Within the coalition, based on all the work carried out over recent months, we have consolidated our approach with, first, the establishment of ceasefire monitoring mechanisms, which will be placed under US leadership, with contributions from several states that have indicated their readiness,” Macron said during a press conference.
He emphasized enhanced military coordination, including the creation of a coordination unit integrating forces from coalition members, Ukraine, and the U.S. “We also agreed here to establish a coordination unit that will fully integrate all relevant armed forces and ensure operational coordination between the coalition of the willing, the United States of America, and Ukraine,” Macron added. The French leader stressed the centrality of U.S. capabilities, particularly in intelligence and logistics, while praising contributions from Germany, Italy, Poland, and Türkiye in maritime domains.
The summit, hosted at the Élysée Palace, included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and representatives from NATO and the EU. U.S. participation was represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, signaling Washington's engagement in the process.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlined Britain's ongoing commitment, pledging expanded defense support for Ukraine in 2026 and sustained pressure on Russia through sanctions on oil traders and shadow fleet operators. “We will continue to step up our support for Ukraine's defense in 2026 to ensure it gets the equipment and backing it needs to continue the fight, and we will keep the pressure up on Russia,” Starmer said.
Starmer detailed a trilateral agreement with France and Ukraine, signed alongside Macron and Zelenskyy. “Following a ceasefire, the UK and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraine's defensive needs,” he announced, framing it as part of reassurance measures in air, sea, and land domains.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz affirmed Germany's political, financial, and military commitment. “Germany will commit itself politically, financially and militarily. This may include, for example, sending forces for Ukraine into neighboring NATO territory after a ceasefire,” Merz stated, cautioning that decisions would require governmental and parliamentary approval. He described the coalition's efforts as taking responsibility for building a credible deterrent force against Russia.
The joint declaration emphasizes long-term support for Ukraine's armed forces, envisioned as a volunteer-based military of around 700,000-800,000 troops, serving as the primary deterrent against future aggression. It includes plans for a multinational force to aid rebuilding and deterrence, European-led with U.S. support.
U.S. involvement was highlighted as crucial, with the coalition committing to legally binding guarantees activated upon a credible ceasefire. These could include military, intelligence, logistical, diplomatic, and sanctions responses to renewed attacks. Witkoff described the talks as making "significant progress" on security frameworks and post-conflict development.
The summit builds on months of preparations amid ongoing U.S.-brokered peace efforts under President Donald Trump, who has pushed for a negotiated end to the nearly four-year war. While no ceasefire has been achieved, the Paris outcomes aim to strengthen Ukraine's position in potential negotiations with Russia.
Russian officials have not commented directly on the declaration, but Moscow has previously rejected foreign troop deployments on Ukrainian soil and insisted on addressing "root causes" like NATO expansion.
Zelenskyy welcomed the commitments, stressing the need for robust guarantees to prevent future invasions. Analysts view the agreement as a signal of transatlantic unity, shifting some burden from the U.S. while ensuring its pivotal role in verification and support.
This framework underscores Europe's determination to secure lasting peace, with conditional deployments and monitoring mechanisms designed to deter aggression without immediate escalation. As fighting continues, the coalition's pledges represent a concrete step toward post-war stability, contingent on a viable truce.
