Leaders from 31 countries gather for Paris summit to strengthen support for Ukraine, discuss peace

Leaders from 31 countries gathered in Paris on March 27 to coordinate military aid for Ukraine and discuss steps toward a just and lasting peace, the Ukrainian presidential office reported.

The summit, co-led by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, follows Starmer’s March 2 proposal to form a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine.

Discussions will reportedly center on sustaining military aid, strengthening Ukraine’s defense industry, and negotiating potential ceasefire mechanisms.

The leaders will also discuss the possibility of deploying a peacekeeping force to Ukraine with U.S. support as part of a future peace agreement. Starmer previously stressed that the coalition would need “strong U.S. backing” to succeed.

The coalition aims to form a “reassurance force” as a key security guarantee for Ukraine. Members who are reluctant to send their own troops to Ukraine can instead deploy soldiers to neighboring countries or provide ships, aircraft, intelligence, tanks, or other support.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Feb. 24 that Russian President Vladimir Putin would allow European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a settlement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov publicly rejected the idea.

As Macron talks about building up Europe’s defenses, Ukraine awaits actual results

As French President Emmanuel Macron hosts another Ukraine-centric summit in Paris on March 27, the main question remains open — can Europe, and France as one of its leaders, keep embattled Kyiv afloat when the U.S. walks out? Addressing the nation on March 5, French President Emmanuel Macron said t…

The Kyiv IndependentAlex Cadier