> At a Glance
> – 35 leaders, including 27 heads of state, meet in Paris to craft post-ceasefire security for Ukraine
> – Donald Trump‘s envoys, not Secretary Marco Rubio, lead U.S. delegation after Venezuela operation
> – Emmanuel Macron pledges “concrete commitments” but details on troops, timelines remain unfinalized
> – Why it matters: Europe needs U.S. military backing to deter future Russian attacks, yet Trump’s Greenland push strains NATO unity
Ukraine’s future security hinges on talks starting Tuesday in Paris, where the so-called “coalition of the willing” will try to convert months of planning into binding guarantees. The summit gathers an unprecedented 35 participants, but last-minute U.S. roster changes and renewed calls to acquire Greenland cloud prospects for firm outcomes.
Five-Point Blueprint on the Table
French officials say the coalition will focus on five priorities once guns fall silent:
- Monitor an eventual ceasefire across land, sea, and air
- Sustain Ukraine’s armed forces with training and weapons
- Deploy a multinational force-location and size still debated
- Spell out swift responses if Russia attacks again
- Lock in long-term defense-industrial cooperation
Macron’s office insists the first line of defense remains Ukraine’s own military, reinforced by allied equipment and intelligence.
U.S. Pivot Raises Kyiv Concerns
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will represent Washington after Marco Rubio scrapped his trip, citing the unfolding Venezuela mission that led to the reported capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned critical blanks persist:
> “Not everyone is ready to commit forces… many parliaments still need to vote.”
He stressed that British and French troop deployments would be “essential” because other partners may offer only sanctions, money, or humanitarian aid.
Greenland Spat Overshadows Unity
Trump on Sunday revived his push to take control of Greenland, calling it vital for U.S. and EU security. Danish premier Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic leader Jens Frederiksen shot back, branding any takeover bid a death blow to NATO.
European leaders largely back Denmark, yet they still count on American planes, satellites, and missiles to underpin any Ukrainian shield-creating a diplomatic high-wire act in Paris.
| Issue | Status | Sticking Point |
|---|---|---|
| Multinational force | Proposed | Location, rules of engagement |
| U.S. security pledge | Unclear | Shifted focus to Venezuela |
| European troop vote | Pending | Parliamentary approval needed |
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine wants iron-clad guarantees before accepting a ceasefire it fears Russia could exploit
- France and the U.K. lead planning, but troop contributions hinge on undecided parliaments
- Trump’s Greenland comments test NATO solidarity exactly when unity is needed on Russia
With fighting still raging, the Paris meeting aims to show Moscow that the West can back diplomacy with sustained military might-if members can first close their own gaps.
