Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron speak at a press conference after a summit of the 'coalition of the willing,' at the Elysée Palace in Paris, on September 4, 2025. KAMIL ZIHNIOGLU FOR LE MONDE
Over two dozen countries have pledged to take part in a force to be deployed in Ukraine after a potential peace accord is reached with Russia, aiming to deter Moscow from ever again attacking its neighbour, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday, September 4.
A "reassurance force" for Ukraine is a key pillar of the security guarantees that a coalition, mainly composed of European countries, wants to offer to Ukraine, if the war ends via a peace deal or a ceasefire. However, there is also growing concern that Russian President Vladimir Putin currently shows no interest in a peace deal, with alarm intensifying after his high-profile visit to Beijing this week.
European leaders spoke to US President Donald Trump via video conference after the summit in Paris of the so-called "coalition of the willing," hosted by Macron and attended by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. The coalition of the willing includes around 30 nations that back Ukraine, mainly European countries, but also Canada, Australia and Japan.
