Emmanuel Macron has managed to gather more than 30 European leaders in his call in Paris for the volunteer coalition in support of Ukraine, with the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky. The French president and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the other main promoter of the idea, faced significant divisions among allies regarding the creation of a hypothetical "peace mission" with European soldiers in Ukraine.
The summit concluded with the joint decision not to lift economic sanctions on Russia and to increase military support to Kiev. Emmanuel Macron emphasized at the end of the meeting that Russia has not shown "a parallel willingness" to Ukraine's to agree to a ceasefire and accused Putin of taking advantage of peace talks to "discourage the adversary and intensify attacks."
Macron stated that the Paris meeting has helped promote the Franco-British initiative of a "security force" or peace mission in Ukraine to ensure ceasefire in the air, sea, and at energy facilities. The French president announced the availability of "several countries" to contribute soldiers, although he did not specify how many. Macron clarified that the supposed European contingent would not replace the Ukrainian army nor be deployed at the front.
The Russian government spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, responded by strongly opposing the presence of soldiers from allied countries in Ukraine, stating that such a decision would create the risk of "direct confrontation" with NATO. Zakharova directly accused London and Paris of preparing for "direct military intervention in Ukraine."
Macron confirmed his agreement with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to "co-pilot" the efforts of the "volunteer coalition." "Our goal is clear: to help Ukraine achieve the best negotiating position and achieve a solid and lasting peace for all Europeans."
"We must accelerate actions to achieve a ceasefire," acknowledged Macron, who confirmed his intention to have a second phone conversation with Trump in less than 24 hours. The French head of state, however, was critical of the results obtained so far in approaching Moscow: "These parallel talks are leading us to situations like three different statements: an American-Ukrainian statement, an American-Russian statement, and a Russian statement that says something different from the previous ones."
"We will not allow any of the stories or falsehoods spread by Russia to go unchallenged," added Macron. "This has been demonstrated in recent days during discussions in Riyadh, in the Black Sea, where Russia, through its speeches or press releases, has completely reinvented what has happened in the last three years."
Despite reservations and resistance from several allied countries, Macron assured that there will be a security force in Ukraine and detailed more than ever that it would not be exactly a peace mission but would serve in the long term to "have a deterrent character regarding a possible Russian aggression." The French president clarified, however, that the supposed European contingent would not be deployed at the front nor aim to "replace the Ukrainian army."
The creation of the so-called reassurance force of European countries, which could be composed of up to 30,000 soldiers, was a focal point of the debates during the meeting attended by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Italy and Poland have been the countries that have expressed the most resistance to the idea so far, integrated within the set of "security guarantees" that allies demand after a hypothetical peace agreement.
In his bilateral meeting with Zelensky, which served as a preamble to the summit, Macron strongly criticized Russia for the recent aggressions and its "desire for war," announcing an additional $2 billion in military aid to Kiev. Another objective of the Paris meeting, he emphasized, will be to create a framework for "a sustainable and lasting Ukrainian army."
"Here there is only one aggressor, Russia, and one resisting country, yours," said Macron in his press conference with Zelensky. "Russia's aggressiveness has a very direct impact on our security in Europe. We are in a decisive phase to end the war of aggression. I appreciate what President Trump has done."
Macron spoke with Trump by phone before the summit and committed to communicate with him again to inform him of the European allies' position to demand "security guarantees" for Ukraine in the event of a hypothetical peace agreement.
European Council President Antonio Costa, who also participated in the summit, warned that it is necessary to "maintain pressure on Russia through economic sanctions." Costa reiterated that this is "the best way to remain faithful to our goal of supporting Ukraine and achieving a fair and lasting peace."
Macron has promised "transparency with American partners" at the meeting held today in Paris and has committed to inform Trump by phone at the end of the day. In the early afternoon, in his renewed role as the virtual "commander-in-chief" of European rearmament, he will address the media at the Elysée Palace.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the contrast between "Russia's empty promises and Zelensky's willingness to sign a one-month truce, as proposed by the allies." "Putin has shown that he is not acting seriously in the peace talks," Starmer declared in the countdown to the volunteer coalition summit. "He has played with the ceasefire in the North Sea, despite the good faith of all parties, and continues to launch devastating attacks against Ukraine."
The previous day in Paris was marked by controversial statements to the AFP news agency by Zelensky's presidential advisor Igor Jovka, which caused some concern among the allies. "We do not need missions to maintain peace," Jovka warned. "Ukraine does not need European soldiers ready to fight. It is not the quantity that matters, but the willingness to fight and defend, to be equipped, and to understand that Ukraine is an essential part of European security."
"We are going to talk about the (European) contingents," acknowledged Zelensky in statements to Le Figaro. "We must define our needs and know who is willing to send troops, how many, and for how long. We know it is a difficult and important issue. Some countries do not have the capacity, and others are not willing to do so without American guarantees."
"We need a response against Russia," declared the Ukrainian president after his previous meeting with Macron, in which he called for European rearmament. "I am grateful to Europe, which supports our defense. It is important that each country can develop its defense industry. The more production there is in the defense sector, the more lives will be saved."