Allies will make commitments on protecting Ukraine at Jan 6 meeting, says Macron
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French President Emmanuel Macron delivering his New Year speech to the nation at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Dec 31.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- Macron announced European leaders will meet in Paris on January 6 to commit to protecting Ukraine after a peace deal.
- The "Coalition of the Willing" meeting aims to strengthen security guarantees with support for Ukraine's forces and peacekeeping.
- Discussions included using force if Ukraine is attacked; European allies stress US backing for robust security guarantees is essential.
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PARIS – European leaders meeting in Paris on Jan 6 will make firm commitments to protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is brokered, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Dec 31 during his New Year’s Eve speech.
Mr Macron has convened a meeting of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” for Jan 6.
The coalition grouping led by Britain and France includes more than 30 nations.
“On Jan 6 in Paris, many European states and allies will make concrete commitments to protect Ukraine and ensure a just and lasting peace on our European continent,” Mr Macron said.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff earlier said that ways to strengthen security guarantees for Ukraine were discussed during talks on Dec 31
In mid-December, the leaders of several European countries, including Germany, France and Britain, said there had been “strong convergence” with the US after talks in Berlin and stated a list of goals for both sides to work towards.
These included commitments to support Ukraine’s armed forces, a European-led peacekeeping force, and guarantees to use force if Ukraine came under attack again.
Kyiv has come under intense pressure from the Trump administration to make concessions to Russia to enable a deal. Ukraine’s European allies say any peace accord must ensure robust security guarantees backed by US support. REUTERS
