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It remains unclear how much of the agreement Russia will accept, if any, but Europe’s commitment to deploy peacekeepers in Ukraine after a peace deal represents the most significant promise to Kyiv from its allies, writes the Financial Times.
Following the Paris meeting, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that partners plan to establish military bases across Ukraine and build secure facilities to store weapons and equipment for the country’s defense.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that discussions highlighted the alignment of positions between Ukraine, Europe, and the United States regarding postwar support. According to FT, the meeting marks a shift in relations with Washington following tensions throughout 2025. The United States, for its part, agreed to take the most significant role yet in supporting Ukraine’s security guarantees.
However, Politico notes that a key clause was removed from the final document — the U.S. commitment “to support forces (likely peacekeepers) in the event of an attack” and provide intelligence and logistical assistance. Instead, FT reports, citing two sources, that U.S. forces will lead high-tech monitoring of any ceasefire line in Ukraine, using unmanned sensors, drones, and satellites to assess potential attacks by either Russian or Ukrainian forces. A reliable and neutral monitoring system is considered crucial.
The parties must still agree on how to implement, supervise, and verify the ceasefire. Elysee Palace sources emphasize this will occur “without deploying soldiers.”
“We are talking about a 1,400 km line, and a physical troop presence along it makes no tactical or strategic sense,” a source said. Disputes remain over issues such as how to classify potential ceasefire violations.
Kyiv welcomed the results of the Paris meeting but acknowledges there is still much work ahead.
“U.S. peace negotiations with Ukraine and its allies have not yet included trilateral discussions with Russia. It is unclear which parts of the proposals Moscow will accept, if any,” FT concludes.
As a reminder, following the “Coalition of the Willing” meeting on December 6, Ukraine, the U.K., and France signed a declaration on deploying peacekeepers on land, in the air, and at sea after the war ends. The document states that the first line of deterrence against Russian aggression will remain the Ukrainian Armed Forces, projected to number 800,000, while the United States will handle monitoring.
