French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for a high-stakes meeting of international leaders in Paris next week to advance support for Ukraine and solidify strategies aimed at securing a potential ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The gathering, slated for Thursday, will include Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and members of a Western-led coalition backing Kyiv’s defense efforts.
The initiative follows months of coordination between Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aimed at countering uncertainty after U.S. President Donald Trump initiated direct talks with Russia last month. Macron emphasized the urgency of finalizing military aid, developing sustainable defense frameworks for Ukraine, and establishing European-led security guarantees during the discussions.
"We will finalize our work on short-term support for the Ukrainian army, on defending a sustainable model for Ukraine's armed forces to prevent Russian invasions, and on security guarantees that European armies can provide," Macron told reporters after an EU summit in Brussels.
Analysts see the meeting as a critical step to stabilize diplomatic momentum amid concerns over potential shifts in global alliances. The French leader stressed that credibility of any ceasefire agreement depends on "clear, coordinated commitments" from coalition partners.
