At the Élysée Palace in Paris on September 3, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron, standing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, revealed that political and military proposals from the “coalition of the determined” are now complete and awaiting formal approval.
“Thanks to the input prepared, documented and confirmed this afternoon at the level of defense ministers in strict secrecy, we can now say: this work is complete and ready for political approval,” Macron said.
Political and Military Framework Finalized in Paris
“We have come a long way; our chiefs of staff have worked closely, and today I can say that we are ready. Today we have on the table a political proposal, a military proposal, and a proposal coming from 35 leaders to provide security guarantees to Ukraine,” Macron said.
The coalition, comprising leaders from 35 countries, prepared two core elements:
- The first element is a political proposal that establishes the framework for commitment.
- A military proposal, which outlines a “reassurance force” composed of 26 nations offering troops or support assets.
During their joint press conference, Emmanuel Macron emphasized that this force aims to guarantee peace—not escalate conflict—and act as a deterrent against any future aggression.
Two Core Components of the Guarantee Plan
Macron outlined the coalition’s strategy in two complementary parts:
- Strengthening the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Coalition partners are back removing all restrictions on the size and capabilities of Ukraine’s military, enabling it to rebuild a strong and credible defense posture flexible enough to deter further threats.
- Reassurance Force Deployment: Twenty-six countries have formally offered to contribute—either by deploying troops to Ukraine or by offering logistical, air, or naval support. The force will be deployed only after a ceasefire or peace agreement is secured.
Macron confirmed that military chiefs have already documented and secured these commitments, enabling swift action upon receiving political approval.
U.S. Support
Although none of the 26 nations is the United States, Macron disclosed a follow-up call with American President Donald Trump, during which U.S. support—particularly air support and intelligence sharing—is expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
European leaders also used their Paris summit to apply diplomatic pressure to Trump. Concerns prevail that without clear U.S. backing, Ukraine could be vulnerable. Especially if the political momentum shifts towards conceding a hasty peace, the threat of New Russia’s attack remains.
Russia’s Reaction: A Dangerous Precedent
Moscow’s response was swift. The Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin warned that any Western or foreign troops deployed on Ukrainian soil would be considered “legitimate targets,” rejecting the coalition’s guarantees as intolerable.
Moscow’s threat, which is not new, underscores the delicate balancing act the coalition must perform: ready and visible deterrence, yet carefully calibrated to avoid triggering direct confrontation.
Why This Framework Matters
The new security guarantee initiative—anchored in both deterrence and restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty—is pivotal for several reasons:
- It represents a unified European response, asserting confidence in Ukraine’s future without waiting for U.S. decisions alone.
- The “reassurance force” signals a credible military umbrella, without the need for a full NATO-style deployment.
- It strengthens Ukraine’s sovereignty, enabling it to defend itself beyond frontline resistance.
To summarize, here’s a clear breakdown of coalition components:
- The Political Framework is complete and ready for approval by 35 leaders.
- Military Assistance—26 countries pledged deployment or support via air, naval, or training assets.
- U.S. role: pending confirmation of airpower and intelligence cooperation.
- Security Assurance—Force meant to legitimize peace and deter future aggression, not to engage Russia directly.
Next Steps
As European leaders await full political endorsement, the coalition’s initiative marks a turning point in Europe’s strategic posture. The “reassurance force” could become a lasting deterrent mechanism—not merely reactive, but forward-leaning.
For Ukraine, the commitments send a powerful message: once a truce is reached, the country won’t stand defenseless facing Russian aggressive imperialism. A multilateral force will instead support it, striving to preserve peace and uphold its sovereignty.
