On September 4, 2025, the gilded halls of Paris’ Élysée Palace echoed with the determined voices of Western leaders, all gathered for a summit that may shape the future security of Ukraine—and, by extension, Europe itself. This high-stakes meeting, dubbed the "Coalition of the Willing," brought together heads of state and top officials from 26 countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the European Commission, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the center of the diplomatic whirlwind.
The summit’s agenda was clear: finalize robust, legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia. The stakes could hardly be higher. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has endured nightly bombardments by Russian missiles and drones, and the war has ground on with no end in sight. Yet, as French President Emmanuel Macron put it at the outset, "We are ready as Europeans to offer security guarantees to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people the day a peace deal is signed." The details, he added, remain "extremely confidential"—a necessary cloak, perhaps, given the ever-present threat of Russian reprisal.
Despite the air of unity, several thorny issues loomed large over the proceedings. Chief among them was the question of troop commitments. According to Macron, 26 countries have now formally pledged to contribute forces—on land, at sea, or in the air—to reassure Ukraine and maintain peace once a ceasefire or settlement is reached. “There are no limitations for the defense of Ukraine,” Macron insisted, emphasizing the coalition’s readiness to regenerate Ukraine’s army and deter future Russian aggression.
Yet, the coalition was keenly aware that their plans would carry real weight only with the backing of the United States. President Donald Trump, who joined the summit by phone, has repeatedly signaled a more cautious approach. While expressing hope for peace, Trump told CBS News, “Something is going to happen, but they are not ready yet. But something is going to happen. We are going to get it done.” Still, Trump’s reluctance to commit U.S. troops outright, and his insistence that Europe take the lead, has left some allies anxious.
In the words of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who participated online, the group has “an unbreakable pledge to Ukraine, with President Trump’s backing,” but must “go even further to apply pressure on Putin to secure a cessation of hostilities.” Starmer also warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot be trusted,” a sentiment echoed by many around the table after recent indiscriminate missile attacks in Kyiv.
The summit also focused on the economic dimension of the conflict. Trump reportedly urged European leaders to halt purchases of Russian oil—an important source of funding for Moscow’s war machine—and to ramp up economic pressure on China, which the U.S. claims is supporting Russia’s war efforts. Finland’s President Alexander Stubb told Reuters that Trump’s approach was “very much that we must act together on sanctions policy and now look for ways in particular to halt Russia’s war machine by economic means.” Stubb noted that oil and gas are the prime targets, with further discussions between the U.S. and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expected to follow swiftly.
For Ukraine, the security guarantees must be more than symbolic. Zelenskyy, standing shoulder to shoulder with Macron, was adamant that the new framework must provide “strong and legally binding guarantees” and not repeat the failures of the Budapest Memorandum or the Minsk agreements, which left Ukraine vulnerable in the past. “The key to ending the war is to deprive the Russian war machine of resources,” Zelenskyy declared, calling for maximum protection of Ukraine’s skies to save lives and deter further attacks.
Andrii Yermak, Zelenskyy’s powerful chief of staff, met with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Paris, underscoring the importance of coordination with Washington. Yermak stated, “The security guarantees must be strong and effective—in the air, at sea, and on land. The war launched by Russia must be stopped. President Trump’s principle of ‘peace through strength’ is exactly the kind of approach that can influence the aggressor.”
European leaders projected unity throughout the day, with statements and social media posts reaffirming support for Ukraine. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa warned that “Russia does not want peace in Ukraine and will remain a threat,” while Romania’s President Nicușor Dan praised the “very good and substantive meeting,” highlighting the crucial role of U.S. involvement. Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin emphasized that security guarantees could include an “assurance force” or peacekeepers, with Ireland open to participating in such a mission.
Yet, the path to peace remains fraught. Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking from Beijing, made clear his demands: Ukraine must surrender to Moscow’s terms or face continued war. “If common sense prevails, then it is possible to agree on an acceptable option for ending this conflict,” Putin said, but warned, “if Ukraine does not accept its demands, then we will have to solve all our tasks by force.” He also dismissed the idea of meeting Zelenskyy anywhere but Moscow, a nonstarter for Kyiv.
Ukraine, for its part, remains deeply wary of any ceasefire that might allow Russia to regroup and rearm. As European officials finalized their technical plans—described as complete but confidential—Macron insisted that “if Moscow doesn’t want to respect these conditions, we will have to take further steps with the U.S.” This could mean additional sanctions or new forms of military support, should Russia continue to flout international law.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, present in Paris, was blunt: “Why are we interested in what Russia thinks about troops in Ukraine? It’s a sovereign country. It’s not for them to decide.” Rutte warned against naivety, stressing that Russia would remain a long-term threat, especially given its growing ties with China and North Korea.
As the summit drew to a close, Macron summed up the coalition’s resolve: “We cannot allow for international law to be violated. We cannot, because this is not only Ukraine; this is the security of all of us.” The leaders agreed to take their finalized plan to Washington, aiming to secure U.S. support in the coming days. With 26 countries now ready to provide security guarantees, and the promise of further coordination on sanctions, the West is signaling that it will not let Ukraine stand alone—even if the path to peace remains uncertain and perilous.
For now, Ukraine’s fate—and the security architecture of Europe—hangs in the balance, awaiting the next moves from Washington, Moscow, and the coalition of nations determined to see this conflict brought to a just end.