Twenty Nations Commit to Military Presence in Ukraine for Future Security

In an important development for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that around twenty countries have pledged to maintain a military presence in Ukraine once the war concludes. This commitment was made during a summit in Paris, where Macron revealed that 26 nations from the Coalition of Volunteers have agreed to either deploy troops on the ground, engage at sea, or operate in the air to provide security guarantees for Kyiv. Macron emphasized that this military reinforcement of Ukraine's borders is not intended to provoke conflict with Russia, but rather to ensure peace and send a clear message of deterrence. The primary objective of these forces will not be to position themselves on the front lines, but to avert any significant new aggression and involve these 26 countries in ensuring the long-term security of Ukraine. The details of this military presence were not extensively disclosed; however, Macron noted that members of the Coalition of Volunteers have already confirmed their commitments, ensuring a collaborative approach to support Ukraine. He stated that further discussions with the United States will focus on clarifying the specifics of their support, which will encompass monitoring, ceasefire arrangements, and additional security measures. Besides military commitments, Macron emphasized the importance of formalizing these agreements into political texts, which would entail preparing a lasting peace agreement as well as establishing multilateral or bilateral support accords. He noted that the commitments made in Paris extend significantly beyond prior solidarity and support agreements currently in place with Ukraine. "The advantage of our approach is its depth. It is a military plan outlining detailed contributions we are prepared to offer to the Ukrainian army, in conjunction with our reassurances," Macron asserted. This operational formalization will pave the way for legal and political frameworks that support a sustainable peace treaty. Simultaneously, across the Atlantic, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation on Thursday. During this discussion, as reported by the Italian cabinet, both leaders expressed their commitment to continuing pressure on Russia. They agreed that achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine necessitates persistent support for the Ukrainian government, coupled with collective sanctions against Russia and credible security guarantees. Meloni reiterated her proposal for a collective security defense mechanism akin to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which she believes should play a crucial role in the political framework of security assurances for Ukraine. Although she confirmed that Italy would not send troops to Ukraine, she expressed Italy's readiness to assist in efforts toward a ceasefire by providing monitoring and training initiatives beyond Ukraine's borders. Concerning potential negotiations, Trump warned Russian President Vladimir Putin about the implications of the ongoing negotiations related to Ukraine. The United States has also suggested a meeting between Zelensky and a Russian representative as part of efforts to conclude the conflict that has persisted for over three years. As the international landscape continues to evolve, the Coalition of Volunteers' commitments signal a robust united front aimed at ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty and stability. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3