Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will convene with European leaders in Paris on Thursday to negotiate long-term security commitments aimed at deterring future Russian aggression, his office confirmed. The discussions come amid ongoing efforts to stabilize Ukraine's position ahead of potential peace negotiations with Moscow.
Key Players at the Table
Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. French President Emmanuel Macron and Starmer will co-chair the talks, which focus on forming a 'coalition of the willing' to design robust defense frameworks for Ukraine.
Proposals and Pushback
Von der Leyen recently hinted at 'precise plans' for multinational troop deployments to Ukraine post-conflict, leveraging U.S.-backed security infrastructure. However, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius dismissed these remarks as premature, highlighting divisions within European leadership.
Kyiv's Strategic Goals
Ukraine continues advocating for NATO-style defense guarantees and a European peacekeeping force, particularly if full NATO membership remains unattainable. Russia has repeatedly opposed any Western military presence in Ukraine, framing it as a red line.
The outcome of these talks could reshape Europe's security architecture and influence ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
