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Paris summit seeks security pledges for Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron convened Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and over 30 allied leaders in Paris on Tuesday to finalize security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
Key figures and unresolved issues
The gathering, dubbed the Coalition of the Willing, includes U.S. mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Zelensky recently met former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed his proposed peace plan was 90% complete.
The remaining 10% hinges on territorial concessions Kyiv may be pressured to accept. Russia currently occupies roughly 75% of Donetsk and 99% of Luhansk-collectively known as the Donbas industrial region. Moscow has shown no willingness to compromise on its goal of full control, advancing slowly but steadily since its 2022 invasion.
Russia's stance and recent escalations
Moscow has rejected calls for a temporary ceasefire while intensifying strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure amid winter conditions. Kyiv retaliated with drone attacks, including a strike on an oil depot in Russia's Lipetsk region.
Security guarantees and multinational support
Leaders in Paris aim to agree on a multinational force to protect Ukraine post-ceasefire, along with economic and military aid. A critical unresolved issue is the "backstop"-a U.S. commitment to intervene if Russia violates any peace deal. Zelensky said Washington proposed 15-year guarantees after his Florida meeting with Trump, though implementation timelines remain unclear.
Geopolitical tensions overshadow talks
The summit occurs amid fallout from the U.S. military's seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with Trump declaring an indefinite U.S. administration of Venezuela and reviving Cold War-era dominance claims in the Western Hemisphere. His subsequent suggestion of annexing Greenland-Denmark's semi-autonomous territory-drew sharp rebuke from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who warned it could fracture the transatlantic alliance.
European leaders, including Macron and Starmer, have avoided criticizing the Venezuela intervention but aligned with Denmark on Greenland. Macron, as host, seeks to keep the focus on Ukraine despite the distractions.
Next steps
Negotiations will continue through Tuesday, with participants expected to outline a framework for post-war security and reconstruction support. No formal announcements are scheduled before the summit's close.
