Leaders from nearly 30 countries gather in Paris to strengthen support for Ukraine

On Thursday, March 27, nearly 30 countries, along with NATO and EU leaders, gathered in Paris to discuss bolstering support for Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia. 

The summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, aimed to strengthen Ukraine’s position in its efforts for a ceasefire and long-term peace while considering the deployment of European peacekeeping troops, Caliber.Az reports via international media.

“We must prove that Europe knows how to defend itself,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended the meeting as part of the growing international push to reinforce Ukraine's defense and support efforts.

The gathering formed what has been dubbed a “Coalition of the Willing,” with participating countries working toward peace and discussing the possibility of deploying European forces in Ukraine as part of any peace deal. A key focus of the summit was ensuring long-term security guarantees for Ukraine while transforming its military into the first line of defense against future threats, particularly from Russia.

The proposal to send European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine is primarily driven by France and the United Kingdom. The goal is to deter further Russian aggression, which has entered its fourth year of invasion, by securing peace in the region. Macron emphasized that the proposed force would be stationed in vital towns and strategic locations throughout Ukraine to respond to any new Russian attacks.

“If there was again a generalized aggression against Ukrainian soil, these armies would, in fact, be under attack, and then it’s our usual framework of engagement,” Macron explained. “Our soldiers, when they are engaged and deployed, are there to react and respond to the decisions of the commander in chief, and if they are in a conflict situation, to respond to it.”

Macron clarified that the European troops would not be sent to the frontlines, but instead, their role would be to guarantee peace and stability. “We are not on the frontlines, we don’t go to fight, but we are there to guarantee a lasting peace. It’s a pacifist approach,” he said. “The only ones who would trigger a conflict would be the Russians if they decided again to launch an aggression.”

This summit in Paris comes amid growing diplomatic efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, with US President Donald Trump urging steps toward ending the conflict. A recent US-brokered deal aimed at safeguarding Black Sea shipping and halting attacks on energy infrastructure was viewed as a first step toward peace. However, both Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of violating the terms of the deal.

Despite the ceasefire agreements, the fighting continues. Ukrainian media reported on March 27 that Russian attacks had resulted in numerous injuries and at least one death within the past 24 hours.

Zelenskyy, speaking to the international community, stressed that the ongoing attacks underscored the need for continued sanctions on Russia. “These attacks show that the US and Europe must not ease sanctions on Moscow,” he said, reinforcing the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia to achieve a long-lasting peace.

By Tamilla Hasanova