BRUSSELS, January 7, 2026 – European leaders attending the "Coalition of the Willing" summit in Paris have committed to providing "politically and legally binding" security guarantees for Ukraine, to be activated upon a ceasefire with Russia, European Council President António Costa announced on Tuesday.
In a post on the social media platform X following the high-level meeting, Costa described the gathering as "productive and important" for advancing coordinated support to Ukraine. "We stand ready to commit to a system of politically and legally binding guarantees that will be activated once a ceasefire enters into force," Costa wrote. He added that the European Union would contribute significantly, including continued support for Ukraine's EU accession path, financial assistance through a €90 billion loan agreed in December 2025 to cover needs for 2026-2027, and on-the-ground civilian and military missions.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the sentiment, highlighting the summit's display of transatlantic unity. "A strong display of unity for Ukraine today in Paris at the Coalition of the Willing leaders meeting from EU Member States, NATO allies and friends of Ukraine. Our joint statement sends a clear message. We collectively stand by Ukraine and a safe, secure prosperous future lies ahead," she posted on X.
The summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on January 6, brought together leaders and representatives from over 35 countries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The gathering aimed to concretize security guarantees amid ongoing U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to Russia's nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
The joint declaration outlined a multi-layered framework: a U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism; long-term military assistance to Ukraine's armed forces, described as the "first line of defense"; a European-led multinational reassurance force for deterrence and rebuilding, with potential U.S. support; and binding commitments to respond to any future Russian aggression, potentially involving military, intelligence, logistical, diplomatic, and sanctions measures.
Macron emphasized operational convergence, including a coordination unit integrating coalition forces, Ukraine, and the U.S. He praised contributions from various nations, noting Türkiye's role in maritime security. Starmer detailed UK-France plans for post-ceasefire military hubs and protected facilities in Ukraine to support defensive needs. Merz affirmed Germany's multifaceted commitment, including possible deployments to neighboring NATO territory.
The €90 billion EU loan, part of which will bolster Ukraine's military, underscores financial backing. Ukraine's EU accession is viewed as an additional long-term guarantee, enhancing prosperity and security integration.
U.S. participation signaled alignment with the Trump administration's peace initiatives, though details on American contributions remain evolving. Witkoff described progress on frameworks, while Kushner conveyed President Trump's support.
Zelenskyy welcomed the outcomes, stressing robust deterrents to prevent renewed aggression. Analysts note the pledges strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position, though implementation hinges on a credible ceasefire—currently elusive amid continued fighting.
Russia has not publicly responded to the declaration but previously rejected foreign troop presence on Ukrainian soil. The summit reflects Europe's proactive stance in shaping post-conflict architecture, balancing deterrence with diplomacy in a volatile geopolitical landscape.
This development marks a significant step toward formalizing transatlantic commitments, potentially paving the way for broader negotiations involving Moscow. As diplomatic momentum builds, the coalition's framework could influence the trajectory of Europe's largest conflict since World War II.
