Macron Hosts Europe’s ‘Coalition of Willing’ to to Discuss Security Guarantees for Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting a summit Thursday with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine ahead of a possible ceasefire with Russia.

The meeting aims to outline the support Europe can offer Ukraine once a ceasefire deal is reached – including the potential deployment of military forces by a “coalition of the willing.”

Leaders from 27 European nations are attending the Paris summit, which begins with their arrival at the Élysée Palace in the morning. Macron is set to hold a news conference in the afternoon to summarize the discussions. Turkey, a key NATO member, will be represented by Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz.

Speaking alongside Zelensky in Paris on Wednesday, Macron said the war was at a “decisive phase” and called on Russia to accept Ukraine’s offer of a 30-day ceasefire “without preconditions.” He accused Moscow of prolonging the war and hailed Kyiv for taking a “risk for peace.”

Macron also announced a new French military aid package worth €2 billion ($2.2 billion), with plans to quickly send existing weapons from French stockpiles.

The summit follows the two-day-long negotiations in Riyadh, where Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow seemed to have agreed to ensure safe navigation and avoid using force in the Black Sea.

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While both Kyiv and Moscow confirmed the discussions, Russia set conditions, including US sanctions relief for its agricultural sector.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that these conditions would be evaluated but warned that a peace deal “won’t be simple.” No timeline has been given for a potential agreement.

Zelensky said he expected “strong decisions” from the Paris summit. Among the attendees are German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Debate over European forces in Ukraine

One key issue is whether European forces could be deployed to prevent future Russian aggression – a plan initially proposed by Macron and Starmer. The plan outlines a 30-day truce in the air and at sea, along with a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure. A peacekeeping force would be deployed in a second phase.

Zelensky had earlier dismissed the idea that a UN peacekeeping mission could serve as a viable deterrent against future Russian aggression.

“With all due respect, the UN will not protect us from occupation or [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s desire to come again,” Zelensky said during a press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel in Kyiv on Friday, March 21.

“We do not see the UN as an alternative to a contingent or security guarantees,” he said.

On Wednesday, speaking alongside Zelensky, Macron clarified that any European forces sent to Ukraine would not engage in combat, describing it as a “pacifist approach.” Instead, he suggested their presence could serve as a deterrent to future Russian attacks.