đ Paris, France â French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries have committed to forming a âreassurance forceâ to help safeguard Ukraine following any future ceasefire or peace agreement with Russia. The multinational force would operate across land, sea, and air to deter renewed aggression and uphold regional stability.
Speaking alongside Macron after the Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the pledges as a diplomatic breakthrough. âWe are counting on a U.S. backstop,â Zelenskyy said, noting that details of Washingtonâs role would be clarified in the coming days.
The summit, attended by European leaders and U.S. peace envoy Steve Witkoff, focused on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Macron emphasized that the force would not engage in combat but serve as a stabilizing presence once hostilities end.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled openness to direct talks with Zelenskyy, though no formal negotiations have been scheduled. Moscowâs foreign ministry dismissed the reassurance force as a threat to European security, warning against the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine.
The initiative marks a significant step in shaping post-war security architecture, with European leaders stressing the need for U.S. involvement to ensure credibility and deterrence.
