KYIV, Ukraine – Military officials from various countries gathered in Paris for talks on establishing an international security force for Ukraine, a move spearheaded by France and Britain to deter potential Russian aggression against Ukraine under the condition of a ceasefire agreement between Moscow and Kyiv. The discussions were described as preliminary, focusing more on the overall concept and which nations might be willing to participate without requiring specific commitments to troop numbers or equipment.
French President Emmanuel Macron participated in the meeting, comprised of army chiefs from 34 countries and other military representatives, with some joining remotely from Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. The goal was to transition from the conceptual stage to developing a concrete plan to provide credible security guarantees, aligning with NATO’s capabilities.
Slovenia’s army chief expressed support for the initiative but emphasized the need for clarity on the operational aspects of the proposed international force, including its missions, participating countries, and potential mandate from international bodies like the United Nations. The discussions also touched on how to respond to possible ceasefire violations by Russia and the timeline for deployment in case of a large-scale offensive.
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the proposal, he underscored the importance of complementing foreign troops with weapons from the U.S. and Europe as well as support for Ukraine’s defense industry. The absence of the United States from the Paris talks indicated European nations’ readiness to take a significant role in safeguarding Ukraine post-ceasefire.
To deter Russian aggression, the French-British plan envisions a well-equipped force capable of swiftly deploying heavy weaponry and other military assets to support Ukraine’s defense. Technical discussions have been ongoing to outline the specifics of the international force, possibly including airpower from Western nations stationed outside of Ukraine, naval patrols in the Black Sea, and remote monitoring of the front line using advanced technology.
Some Western officials suggested starting with a small “reassurance force” before expanding to a more comprehensive peacekeeping effort involving additional countries. Cautious optimism from Ukrainian officials regarding the potential coalition’s effectiveness stemmed from the limited alternatives available, with NATO not currently in the picture.
Overall, the discussions in Paris marked a pivotal step towards establishing a collaborative security mechanism for Ukraine, drawing on the collective capabilities of willing European countries to ensure a robust and verifiable peace deal. The road ahead may involve multiple stages, potentially starting with a one-month freeze as a confidence-building measure before expanding the coalition to enhance Ukraine’s security landscape.