Ukraine’s Allies Meet As Doubts Grow Over Security Guarantees, US Support

Around 30 Western leaders held talks on Thursday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a potential peace deal with Russia, as doubts grow over the level of backing from the United States.

The summit, hosted in Paris, brought together leaders from Europe, Australia, Japan, and Canada, with several neighbouring countries joining via video link. The talks were aimed at finalising plans within the “coalition of the willing” to ensure military support for Ukraine, designed to deter Russia from launching future attacks if a truce is eventually reached.

However, the efforts have stalled amid concerns that any European military role would require US security guarantees as a “backstop”. So far, President Donald Trump has not made an explicit commitment. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with several senior European officials in Paris on Thursday morning ahead of the summit, according to diplomats.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking alongside Zelenskiy in Paris on Wednesday, said that coalition leaders would endorse “plans for security guarantees drawn up by their militaries”. Two European officials confirmed the “technical” plans had been completed but declined to reveal specific details.

British and French army chiefs were expected to brief the leaders on Thursday. “We are ready, us Europeans, to provide security guarantees to Ukraine for when there is a signed peace,” Macron stated, stressing that much depends on “how sincere Russia is”.

European officials indicated the summit aimed to send a political signal to Trump by highlighting the lack of progress in direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskiy. Since Trump hosted Putin in Alaska in August, there has been little movement. On Wednesday, Trump accused Putin of “conspiring with China and North Korea” after the three leaders staged a rare show of unity at a Beijing commemoration marking the end of World War Two.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he expected “clarity from the coalition soon on what could be delivered,” adding that this would pave the way for more focused discussions with Washington on the role it could play in providing security guarantees.

On Wednesday, Putin told Kyiv there was still a chance to end the war through negotiations “if common sense prevails,” although he warned he was prepared to achieve his objectives “by force” if necessary. Western officials insist that continuing strong support for Ukraine’s armed forces will be a core element of any security agreement.

Plans are also expected to include an international force to assist and reassure Kyiv, based both in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. However, Russia has strongly opposed any deployment of foreign troops within Ukraine. Diplomats say significant differences remain among Ukraine’s allies on how to proceed.

European leaders have maintained that such a force would only be feasible with Washington’s backing. Although Trump promised “general support” last month, the US has yet to clarify what it is willing to contribute. The French presidency said that some European leaders intend to call Trump directly after the summit to secure firmer commitments.

John Foreman, a former British defence attaché to Kyiv and Moscow, cautioned that Zelenskiy must carefully assess “exactly what is on offer” as he weighs his position ahead of potential direct talks with Russia. “That said, there is growing realisation that peace will require a strong Ukraine and Ukrainian army, that European support will need to be long-lasting, and that Ukraine probably can’t rely on its allies coming to its aid to punish Russia should it re-attack,” he said.

“This is all prep work for a peace which remains illusory and remote due to Trump’s incoherent diplomacy and the lack of substantive talks,” Foreman added.

Faridah Abdulkadiri

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