26 nations pledge postwar security guarantees to Ukraine: Macron
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According to Macron, the commitments would form a “reassurance force,” not deployed on the frontline but positioned to "deter fresh aggression."
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France's President Emmanuel Macron, right, embraces Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky at the end of a press conference following a summit on Ukraine at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (Ludovic Marin, Pool Photo via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 nations have pledged to provide postwar security guarantees to Ukraine, including land, sea, and air forces, following a Paris summit aimed at clarifying the level of US support for Kiev.
"The day the conflict stops, the security guarantees will be deployed," Macron said at the Élysée Palace alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He added that the commitments would form a "reassurance force," not deployed on the frontline but positioned to "deter fresh aggression".
Macron initially suggested all 26 would send troops into Ukraine, but later clarified that some would contribute from outside by training and equipping Ukrainian forces, though he did not specify troop numbers. Zelensky hailed the pledges as "the first such serious concrete step in a long time."
The US role in the guarantees will be confirmed "in the coming days," Macron noted.
Russia dismisses Western promises
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed Western promises, saying they "cannot" provide security acceptable to Moscow.
The Paris meeting brought together 35 leaders from the so-called "coalition of the willing." While Macron stressed that defense ministers had secretly documented and confirmed contributions, divisions remain.
Germany, Spain, and Italy have declined to commit troops, preferring to focus on funding, training, and supplying arms.
European leaders arrived in Paris still anxious about Donald Trump’s stance. After his Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin, fears grew that Trump could press Zelensky into concessions, including territorial losses. Trump claimed he secured Putin’s agreement for direct talks, but Moscow denied it, maintaining its demand for Ukraine to renounce NATO membership and surrender land.
Europe ignores Russian warnings
Trump has expressed frustration with Putin but has resisted European calls to tighten economic sanctions. He instead appeared focused on domestic priorities. At the Paris summit, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff represented Washington and met separately with Zelensky. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged tougher measures on Moscow, warning that Putin "could not be trusted."
Despite Russian warnings against European troops in Ukraine, Macron underscored Europe’s commitment. NATO chief Mark Rutte argued that Putin should not dictate allied decisions, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeled the Russian leader "the most severe war criminal of our time."
Zelensky, however, said he had seen "no signs from Russia that they want to end the war."
