What's happened
On January 6-7, 2026, 35 countries including Ukraine, the US, France, and the UK met in Paris to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine amid ongoing war with Russia. They agreed on a US-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism and potential deployment of multinational forces post-ceasefire. Territorial disputes, especially over eastern Ukraine and Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, remain major obstacles.
What's behind the headline?
Security Guarantees as a Strategic Pivot
The Paris summit marks a critical juncture in the Ukraine conflict, where Western allies have coalesced around a framework of security guarantees designed to deter further Russian aggression post-ceasefire. The US-led monitoring mechanism and multinational force deployments signal a shift from ad hoc military aid to structured, long-term defense commitments.
Territorial Disputes Stall Progress
Despite diplomatic momentum, the core issue remains Ukraine's refusal to cede the Donbas region, which Russia demands. This impasse underscores the challenge of reconciling Ukraine's sovereignty with pragmatic peace terms. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant's status adds complexity, intertwining security with nuclear safety concerns.
Diplomatic Tensions and External Factors
The talks occur amid US foreign policy distractions, notably the military intervention in Venezuela and Trump's controversial Greenland remarks, which have strained transatlantic relations. These distractions risk undermining the cohesion of the coalition and complicate negotiations.
Forecast and Implications
The coalition's readiness to deploy troops post-ceasefire, particularly from France and the UK, will likely deter Russian violations but depends on Moscow's willingness to compromise—a prospect currently bleak. The emphasis on 'dignified peace' by Zelensky reflects Ukraine's insistence on security and territorial integrity, suggesting any agreement will be hard-fought and protracted.
Impact on Readers
For global audiences, the summit's outcomes shape the geopolitical landscape and the future of European security. The commitment to robust guarantees offers hope for a durable peace but also signals continued Western involvement in a protracted conflict with significant humanitarian and economic consequences.
What the papers say
The Moscow Times highlights the "robust security guarantees" agreed upon, with French President Emmanuel Macron describing an "operational convergence" among allies including the US, Britain, and France, and noting plans for "several thousand" French troops to deploy post-war. Macron emphasized these guarantees as key to preventing Ukrainian surrender and future threats from Russia. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reports Ukrainian officials, including Kyrylo Budanov and President Zelenskyy, stressing that "Ukrainian national interests will be defended" and that peace must be "dignified," with territorial questions and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as the toughest issues. France 24 and Reuters detail the US-led monitoring mechanism and multinational force deployment plans, noting ongoing fighting and Russia's refusal to accept NATO troops on Ukrainian soil. The New York Times and The Independent provide context on the coalition's formation and the diplomatic challenges posed by US foreign policy distractions, such as the Venezuela intervention and Greenland remarks by President Trump. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, quoted by the NY Post and The Moscow Times, acknowledges progress but warns "the hardest yards are still ahead," emphasizing the need for Russian compromise. These sources collectively illustrate a complex diplomatic effort balancing military support, territorial integrity, and geopolitical tensions.
How we got here
Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, fighting has persisted with Russia occupying about 20% of Ukrainian territory. Ukraine's allies have formed a 'coalition of the willing' to provide military and security support. Recent diplomatic efforts focus on ceasefire terms, security guarantees, and deterring future Russian aggression, complicated by Russia's demands for eastern Ukraine and NATO troop deployment concerns.
Go deeper
- What are the main obstacles to a Ukraine-Russia peace deal?
- How will the multinational force deployment work after a ceasefire?
- What impact do US foreign policy distractions have on the Ukraine talks?
Common question
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How are Western countries supporting Ukraine amid ongoing tensions?
Western nations are actively working together to support Ukraine as tensions with Russia continue. Leaders from over 20 countries are meeting to discuss military aid, security guarantees, and long-term defense strategies. But what exactly are they doing, and how might this impact the conflict? Below, we explore the main goals of these efforts, the countries involved, and what military support is being discussed.
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.
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Steven Charles Witkoff is an American real estate investor and landlord based in New York City, and founder of the Witkoff Group.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Jared Corey Kushner is an American investor, real-estate developer, and newspaper publisher who is currently senior advisor to his father-in-law, Donald Trump, the President of the United States.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Kyrylo Oleksiiovych Budanov (Ukrainian: Кирило Олексійович Буданов; born 4 January 1986) is a Ukrainian military leader who has served as the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine since 2 January 2026. Before that, he serv
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Nicolás Maduro Moros is a Venezuelan politician serving as president of Venezuela since 2013. His presidency has been disputed by Juan Guaidó since January 2019, although Maduro is the real president.
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France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
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Friedrich Merz is a German lawyer and politician. A member of the Christian Democratic Union, he served as a Member of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1994 and was elected to the Bundestag from 1994 until 2009, where he chaired the CDU/CSU parliament