“Coalition of the Willing” Summit in Paris: What the Leaders of the Countries Agreed On
Kyiv • UNN
In Paris, leaders discussed support for Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, and the creation of "deterrent forces." Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of maintaining sanctions and the role of the United States in stopping the war.
Today, a meeting of leaders of the "coalition of the willing" began in Paris to discuss support for Ukraine in deterring Russian aggression and achieving a just and lasting peace. UNN tells what the leaders of the countries managed to agree on.
The event was attended by the presidents of Ukraine, France, Lithuania, Finland, Cyprus, the acting President of Romania, the German Chancellor, the prime ministers of Great Britain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Sweden, the vice president of Turkey, the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, and the Secretary General of NATO. Austria, Australia and Canada are represented at the level of ambassadors.
French President Emmanuel Macron planned to use the meeting of leaders to discuss what he called a "force of reassurance" of European soldiers that could be deployed at strategic points throughout Ukraine to deter Russia from re-attacking after peace is achieved, adding that it could respond to any aggression.
During the meeting, the participants discussed a number of important issues regarding the defense and support of Ukraine during the war. In particular, the mechanisms of deterring Russian aggression and achieving a just and lasting peace were discussed.
Sanctions
President of the European Council António Costa stressed the importance of putting pressure on Russia through sanctions, which he called the best way to support Ukraine on the path to achieving a just and lasting peace.
"The best way to support Ukraine is to remain consistent in our goal of achieving a just and lasting peace. This means continuing to put pressure on Russia through sanctions," said European Council President Costa.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after the summit in Paris that he was pleased to see commitments not to lift any sanctions until Russia ends this war.
Zelenskyy also said that sanctions are one of the few real tools that the world has to incline Russia to serious negotiations. Lifting them now would be a disaster for diplomacy.
"Deterrence forces"
Macron said after the "coalition of the willing" summit in Paris that it was decided today to instruct the foreign ministers of the coalition to prepare proposals on how to control the ceasefire, and also indicated that teams from France and Britain would be sent to Ukraine.
Macron: France and Britain will send teams to Ukraine27.03.25, 15:58 • 185496 views
At the same time, Macron said that the "forces of reassurance" will not be on the "line of demarcation", and noting that not every country has stated that it wants to participate.
In particular, Croatian President Zoran Milanović assured that no serviceman of the Croatian Armed Forces will participate in the peacekeeping operation on the territory of Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine does not see the deployment of UN peacekeepers or OSCE representatives as security guarantees. Ukraine is talking about a military contingent of European partners that will be present in the sky, at sea and on land.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed details regarding deterrence forces for Ukraine, indicating that US support is needed.
Peace process
The participants of the summit in Paris supported the preservation of a strong army of Ukraine. Zelenskyy stressed that Russia cannot dictate the number of Ukrainian soldiers, and this is the common position of all participating countries.
Starmer stressed that US President Donald Trump has made it clear that he wants a lasting peace in Ukraine, but the difference is that Europeans are willing to intervene.
Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine insists that Europe, which will be represented by France and Great Britain, should be at the negotiating table regarding the end of the war.
In addition, the Ukrainian President believes that the United States can really influence the cessation of the war and the desire of the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
"America is important, very important. The decisions that America can demonstrate today, influence, can really influence the cessation of the war, the cessation of Putin's desire, because he really wants this. He really wants to divide Europe and America... We want America to be stronger. I agree with Macron that we all need America to be stronger in relation to Russia," Zelenskyy said.
America can influence the cessation of war and Putin – Zelenskyy27.03.25, 18:00 • 24796 views
