At a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" held in Paris, the president Emmanuel Macron The possibility of a significant deployment of European forces in Ukraine had been raised, in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. This prospect, presented as a contribution to a future peacekeeping mission, reflected France's increased commitment alongside its European partners and Ukraine, in a context of persistent and high tensions in Eastern Europe. This international meeting brought together representatives from 35 countries, including 27 heads of state or government. At its conclusion, a declaration of intent was signed, providing for the establishment of a multinational force contingent upon a cessation of hostilities. France, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine were among the main driving forces behind this initiative, which was notably covered by TF1 Info.
Germany had also hinted at its willingness
Chancellor Friedrich Merz had indicated that Berlin could contribute to the collective effort, specifying that German troops would be deployed in a NATO member country neighboring Ukraine, rather than directly on Ukrainian soil. The United States, although not formally part of the coalition, remained a key player. US envoy Steve Witkoff had asserted that protocols concerning Ukraine's future security were largely finalized, mentioning a US "backstop" intended to guarantee the effectiveness of the operation. The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had welcomed this collective mobilization, seeing it as a strong political signal in favor of the stability of his country.
Emmanuel Macron had outlined the contours of a significant military contribution
He had mentioned the deployment of "several thousand" soldiers for external operations. According to various estimates circulating at the time, the French contingent could have numbered between 5,000 and 7,000 troops, out of a total of approximately 15,000 European soldiers planned. This force was intended to ensure both a deterrent mission against any resumption of hostilities and the long-term security of Ukrainian airspace. The head of state also emphasized France's participation in the reconstruction and regeneration of the Ukrainian army, through increased financial and logistical support. The spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pascal ConfavreuxHe described the meeting as "very important", emphasizing the objective of achieving a coordinated offer of security guarantees, combining European support and an American backstop.
