Ukraine allies outline framework for security guarantees after ceasefire

After nearly four years of war and continued Russian attacks, Ukraine’s allies gathered in Paris to outline a framework of international security guarantees intended to come into effect once a ceasefire is in force.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, asked Wednesday about whether Western European allies had agreed to come to Ukraine’s defense if Russia attacked again after any peace deal, said: “So far, I have not received a clear, unambiguous answer” to that question.

Leaders said the Paris talks were the largest such gathering yet of this kind, with two U.S. envoys attending in person for the first time, as allies moved from contingency planning toward spelling out what deterrence could look like in practice after fighting stops.

The core agreement and “first line” posture

The leaders backed a proposal to provide Ukraine with multilayered security guarantees after any ceasefire or peace settlement. A joint statement said Ukraine’s armed forces would remain “the first line of defense and deterrence,” with partners committing to long-term military assistance and armaments even after fighting ends.

The statement added that allies were ready to commit to “a system of politically and legally binding guarantees that will be activated once a ceasefire enters into force.” French President Emmanuel Macron called the effort a “significant step” toward ending Russia’s invasion.

There was no immediate comment from Russian officials on the Paris meeting.

What allies said they would keep doing

Leaders said they would continue supplying equipment and training to Ukraine’s front-line forces and back them with air, land and sea military support aimed at deterring renewed Russian aggression. They did not publicly detail the size, structure or financing of any supporting forces, and said many elements remain to be negotiated.

Allies also said they would participate in U.S.-led monitoring and verification of any ceasefire. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said the United States “strongly stands behind” security guarantees, without detailing what Washington would provide militarily.

Zelenskyy presses for U.S. leverage

Zelenskyy urged the U.S. to exert greater pressure on Moscow, saying: “The main thing is for Ukraine to be a priority for (the U.S.), to find tools to pressure Russia,” according to the report.

He said Wednesday that progress had been made in the talks but stressed that commitments would still need ratification by individual countries before they could be implemented. He added that the discussions identified which countries would take leadership in elements of the guarantees on the ground, in the air and at sea, and in restoration.

“We determined what countries are ready to take leadership in the elements of security guarantees on the ground, in the air, and at sea, and in restoration,” Zelenskyy said. “We determined what forces are needed. We determined how these forces will be operated and at what levels of command.”

Zelenskyy also said details of how monitoring would work remained to be determined, along with the size and financing of Ukraine’s army.

Forces, deployments and the next steps

No immediate troop deployments were announced. In the event of a ceasefire, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom and France “will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraine’s defensive needs.”

Macron said France was ready to send “several thousand” troops as part of the multinational force, but said they would not be on the front line and would instead be “far away from the contact zone.” The report said Macron had previously mentioned Kyiv and Odesa as possible locations to station soldiers, and that at least 20 nations have pledged to deploy troops on land, at sea or in the air.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany is prepared to participate in security guarantees, with the specific approach still open, adding that “we are in principle not ruling anything out.” He suggested Germany could station troops in countries bordering Ukraine, while noting that any European deployments would face political hurdles and require approval from lawmakers in many countries.

Starmer’s warning amid ongoing attacks

Starmer described the talks as making “excellent progress” but cautioned that “the hardest yards are still ahead,” saying Russian attacks continue. He said peace would require compromise from Moscow and added that “Putin is not showing that he is ready for peace.”

Starmer said the measures discussed would take effect only after a ceasefire or broader settlement and after national approval processes. Zelenskyy had previously said “not everyone is ready” to commit forces, and that support could also come through weapons, technology and intelligence.

Russia and Ukraine positions on guarantees

Russia has insisted there can be no ceasefire without a comprehensive settlement and has ruled out NATO troop deployments on Ukrainian soil. Ukraine has warned that any ceasefire without firm guarantees could give Moscow time to regroup and attack again.

French officials said 35 participants attended in person, including 27 heads of state or government. The report also said Jared Kushner, who participated in the meeting, stated: “this does not mean we will make peace, but peace would not be possible without the progress that we have made today.”

The framework agreed in Paris leaves Ukraine dependent on how quickly allies convert the plans into enforceable guarantees, with political approval hurdles, unresolved force structures and financing questions potentially affecting how deterrence ultimately takes shape while the war continues.