Nations gather to plan Ukraine’s defense against Russia
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Military leaders from over 30 nations are converging in Paris on Tuesday to discuss the formation of an international deterrence force for Ukraine, with crucial questions about troop deployment, positioning, and response protocols still requiring clarity.
This Paris gathering represents the most substantial development in Franco-British initiatives to establish a “coalition of the willing” aimed at preventing future Russian aggression through a dedicated security force.
Nearly all NATO members, excluding the United States, will participate alongside Commonwealth nations and Asian allies Japan and South Korea, according to French military sources. Nations will outline potential military contributions, including personnel, equipment, and other forms of support.
Some Ukrainian leaders remain cautious about arrangements lacking explicit security assurances. Their primary concern centers on the coalition’s response mechanisms should Russia breach any future ceasefire agreement, particularly regarding the speed and scale of military action following potential Russian offensives.
BREAKING 🚨 President Trump did the impossible, he just secured a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine
President Trump deserves an apology from every Liberal and Fake News Reporter
WE DID IT
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) March 11, 2025
Western and Ukrainian officials acknowledge that while determination and strategic thinking exist, concrete military response plans remain undefined. The immediate focus is on evaluating potential contributions from participating nations.
“Diplomats are discussing, military officials are discussing, but we still don´t have real proposals,” said a senior Ukrainian official about the plan. The talks “are not in the first stage, we did a lot in the first stage, but we still don´t have a real solid approach.”
Following President Trump’s apparent rejection of U.S. security guarantees and indications that Europe must take the lead, the Franco-British initiative seeks to establish a force capable of effectively deterring future Russian aggression. According to a French military official, the proposed force would provide reassurance to Ukraine through rapid-deployment capabilities, including heavy weaponry and ammunition stockpiles accessible within hours of any ceasefire violation.
Discussions about the proposal have intensified recently, with technical consultations ongoing among Western diplomatic and military officials across Ukraine and European capitals. Key summits in London and virtual meetings have helped establish common ground among participating nations.
France and Britain are expanding their search for supporting nations, with Tuesday’s Paris talks including representatives from Asia and Oceania. Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea will participate remotely, while Turkey, with NATO’s largest army, will attend in person alongside Canada.
I received a report from our delegation on their meeting with the American team in Saudi Arabia. The discussion lasted most of the day and was good and constructive—our teams were able to discuss many important details.
Our position remains absolutely clear: Ukraine has been… pic.twitter.com/7EZXTVA52C
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 11, 2025
The U.S. absence is deliberate, demonstrating European nations’ commitment to shouldering significant responsibility for Ukraine’s security post-truce.
Initial proposals suggested a European-led force of under 30,000 troops, though numbers remain under discussion. One version proposes stationing troops at crucial infrastructure sites, supported by Western air and naval power, with front-line monitoring primarily conducted through remote technology.
“To get signals on the U.S. backstop, the `able and willing´ European countries must be able to aggregate their capabilities and demands,” a French official explained.
Some Western officials suggest a phased approach to peace implementation, with more nations potentially joining the coalition later. An initial one-month freeze, as proposed by Zelenskyy and European leaders, could serve as a trust-building measure.
“I fully believe it´s very possible,” said one senior Ukrainian official. “Trump is comfortable with the idea, the idea is very positive for us, and if Europe wants to be a real player, they should do this.”
“If they lose this opportunity, we will be in a very difficult situation,” he added.
