European leaders during the Paris Summit on Thursday in a unanimous move decided to uphold sanctions against Russia and increase measures to protect Ukraine. The summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, also witnessed France and Britain committing to deploying “reassurance forces” to Ukraine once peace is established.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the meeting, in which European allies sought to stage a security policy in response to Donald Trump’s eleventh-hour move to initiate direct talks with the Kremlin. More than two dozen heads of government and state participated in the summit, during which it discussed the possibility of security guarantees to Ukraine after the ceasefire, including the potential deployment of troops by a “coalition of the willing.”
Earlier in the month, Russia turned down a 30-day ceasefire proposal by the US after Ukraine had already agreed to its terms. On Thursday, Zelenskyy condemned Washington for failing to impose sanctions on Moscow for it. In a reference to an earlier Oval Office spat with President Trump, he said, “Let’s just make a pause and not advise America on what to do. They have their own people for that.”
Zelenskyy also added European capability to protect itself, saying, “We have to prove it,” while again asserting that Russia has no interest in peace.
A major discussion point at the summit was the deployment of European troops to Ukraine as a long-term security measure. Macron confirmed that France and Britain are spearheading plans for a “reassurance force” to be deployed once hostilities end. While the proposal lacks unanimous support, Macron insisted it would move forward regardless.
A Franco-British delegation will be traveling to Ukraine within the next few days for additional talks, with a number of European countries expected to be involved in the intended deployment.
