At the summit in Paris, representatives from 35 countries have concretized plans for an international protection force and binding security assurances for Ukraine following a possible ceasefire. The Paris Declaration provides for support in the event of a renewed Russian attack, including possible troop deployments. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has signaled the involvement of German soldiers.
The 15th summit of the "Coalition of the Willing" took place on Tuesday in Paris, where more than two dozen heads of state and government from 35 countries gathered. Discussions did not involve direct peace talks with Russia but focused on prerequisites for a ceasefire, particularly security guarantees for Ukraine. The Paris Declaration marks progress by outlining binding commitments to support Ukraine in the event of a future Russian attack. It states verbatim: "We have agreed to finalize binding commitments that set out our approach to supporting Ukraine and restoring peace and security in the event of a future armed attack by Russia." These include military capabilities, intelligence and logistical assistance, diplomacy, sanctions, and evoke NATO Article 5, encompassing possible combat troops.
A planned multinational force is intended to assist Ukrainian forces with training and securing airspace and maritime areas in peacetime, serving as a deterrent. In an emergency, rapid troop mobilizations would be necessary. The United States plans a key role in monitoring a peace agreement using high-tech systems like drones along the 1,200-kilometer contact line and a special commission for violations, but delegates primary responsibility to Europeans, supplemented by U.S. intelligence and logistics support.
Germany is positioning itself openly for the first time: Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) stated after the summit: "This could, for example, include registering forces for Ukraine on adjacent NATO territory after a ceasefire." He did not rule out deployments on Ukrainian soil: "We are not ruling anything out in principle." Specific tasks remain unclear, and Bundestag approval would be required. Conditions for the protection force include a ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia as well as U.S. support. Russia appears more open to a deal privately due to losses and economic consequences, while Ukraine faces pressure, potentially conceding territory de facto, which is socially contentious.
