European leaders sign Paris Declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine

The Paris Declaration, which includes security guarantees for Ukraine, was signed at a ‘coalition of the willing’ meeting held in the French capital, Paris.

According to a report by Reuters, representatives from 27 countries attended the meeting alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Representing the US side at the meeting were Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the US leader.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, speaking after a meeting with European leaders, stated that the declaration confirmed the “Euro-American will” to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.

However, Tusk emphasized that concrete commitments specific to individual countries have not yet been clarified.

“We have accepted the Paris Declaration. This document represents the general will regarding the provision of security guarantees to Ukraine,” Tusk said.

Stating that agreements regarding the concrete guarantees to come from each country are still in the ‘draft’ stage, Tusk expressed that a common position clarifying US participation in the project would be ready by the end of January.

UK and France will establish military centers

Following the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where he signed a declaration envisaging the deployment of multinational forces in Ukraine after the end of the conflict.

UK Prime Minister Starmer announced that with the achievement of a ceasefire, the UK and France plan to build military bases on Ukrainian territory.

“I can say that following a ceasefire, the UK and France will establish military centers throughout Ukraine,” Starmer said.

The British Prime Minister also stated that the two countries would build protected facilities to store weapons and military equipment in Ukraine.

According to information conveyed by Reuters, the security guarantees to be provided to Ukraine by the ‘coalition of the willing’ countries will include ‘binding commitments’ for the restoration of peace in the event of a possible attack by Russia.

According to the draft document, these commitments may cover the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, and the implementation of additional sanctions.

US-led ceasefire monitoring

During the press conference, Starmer reported that the UK, France, and coalition partners have agreed to participate in a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism to be conducted under US leadership.

The parties will also work on a commitment to maintain the long-term supply of weapons to Ukraine and to support Ukraine in the event of a new armed attack from Russia.

Reuters reported that the draft of security guarantees will be presented to the Russian side after representatives from Ukraine, Europe, and the US reach an agreement on the details.

Bloomberg, meanwhile, emphasized that Kyiv’s European partners will request that Russia also participate in the security guarantee negotiations after discussions with the US on the matter are completed.

Signal from Germany for deployment on NATO border

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that after a ceasefire, Germany could deploy its forces not inside Ukraine, but on NATO territory neighboring Ukraine.

Speaking after the meeting in Paris, Merz stated, “Germany will continue its political, financial, and military support. This could mean, for example, that we will maintain a presence in a NATO region neighboring Ukraine following a ceasefire.”

Merz added that the decision regarding the type and scale of German participation would be made by the German government and parliament once the conditions become concrete and clear.

Ukraine has long requested security guarantees from Europe and the US as part of the resolution of the conflict with Russia.

The “coalition of the willing,” established in the shadow of these discussions and coordinated by France and the UK, consists of more than 30 countries, mostly European, considering participation in a possible peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.