What's happened
UK and France have signed a joint declaration to deploy multinational forces to Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached with Russia. The agreement includes establishing military hubs and security guarantees, with US backing, aiming to deter further Russian attacks and support Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction efforts.
What's behind the headline?
The recent coalition summit marks a significant shift in Western support for Ukraine. The US publicly backing security guarantees for the first time signals a move toward legally binding commitments, which could escalate tensions with Russia. The agreement to deploy multinational forces and establish military hubs in Ukraine aims to deter future attacks, but it also risks provoking Russia further. The emphasis on a 'long-term' security framework suggests the West is preparing for a prolonged conflict, potentially increasing military presence in the region. The divergence among European countries—some pledging troops, others limiting support to training and logistics—reflects ongoing debates about the scope of intervention. This coalition’s unity and clarity on commitments will be crucial in shaping Ukraine’s future security landscape and the broader geopolitical balance in Eastern Europe.
What the papers say
According to Sky News, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that any deployment of troops would be subject to parliamentary approval, highlighting the legal and political considerations involved. The Japan Times reports that the summit in Paris was attended by US, European, and Ukrainian officials, with discussions focusing on security guarantees and military support. The Independent notes that US envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed President Trump’s strong backing of the security protocols, aiming to deter further Russian aggression. Al Jazeera highlights that over two dozen countries signed a joint declaration, stressing the importance of robust security guarantees and the potential deployment of multinational forces, with French President Macron indicating that 'several thousand' French soldiers could be deployed as reassurance forces. These sources collectively illustrate a broad international consensus on supporting Ukraine, though with varying levels of commitment and strategic focus.
How we got here
The recent summit in Paris involved Ukraine’s allies forming the 'Coalition of the Willing' to strengthen security guarantees amid ongoing conflict with Russia. The coalition aims to prepare for a potential ceasefire, with discussions focusing on military support, territorial issues, and long-term security arrangements. The US, UK, France, and other European nations are actively involved in shaping post-conflict security protocols.
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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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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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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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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
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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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Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,150,271 residents as of 2020, in an area of 105 square kilometres.
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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.