French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the “Paris Declaration,” endorsed by 35 countries belonging to the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” represents a strategic turning point in the course of the Russian-Ukrainian war. It details robust security guarantees aimed at establishing a lasting and sustainable peace in Ukraine. Macron explained during a press conference that these guarantees, which enjoy broad American support, are key to ensuring that any future peace agreement does not amount to a Ukrainian surrender or open the door to renewed Russian threats.
Details of the multinational force
In an unprecedented move, the French president, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a joint declaration of intent regarding the deployment of a multinational force. This force, which has been under study and planning for several months, aims to deploy following a potential ceasefire to provide a form of reassurance on the ground and ensure that agreements are not violated. The leaders emphasized that this step is essential to fill the security vacuum that could follow a cessation of hostilities, a scenario that remains under consideration despite its current difficulty.
Context of the conflict and the shift in the European position
This announcement comes at a critical juncture, nearly four years after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a period that has witnessed radical shifts in the European security architecture. After years of direct military support through the delivery of weapons and ammunition, Western allies are now moving into a post-war planning phase, or what is known as “sustainable security architecture.” The formation of this “coalition of the willing” reflects a growing European desire to assume greater defense responsibilities, while maintaining close coordination with the United States, to ensure that scenarios of frozen conflicts do not reignite.
Ukrainian welcome for the move from words to deeds
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the documents prepared regarding security guarantees, describing them as a historic step. "What's important is that the alliance now has fundamental documents that go beyond mere diplomatic rhetoric," Zelenskyy said at a press conference. The Ukrainian president praised the "concrete content" of the agreement, considering it a demonstration of the allies' genuine commitment to working for Ukraine's security, not just making political promises, which strengthens Kyiv's position in any potential future negotiations.
Strategic dimensions of the Paris Declaration
The “Paris Declaration” carries implications that extend beyond Ukraine’s borders, sending a clear message to Moscow that Western support for Kyiv will not diminish with the protracted war, but rather will evolve into long-term, institutionalized forms. The talk of deploying international forces on the ground represents a strategic deterrent intended to alter Russian calculations and underscores the international community’s commitment to protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty as an integral part of the security of the European continent as a whole.
