US offers support in words but declines security guarantees for Ukraine

The United States refrained from signing a formal declaration providing security guarantees to Ukraine, leaving Europe to spearhead plans for long-term support in the event of a peace deal with Russia.

European leaders, joined by Ukrainian officials, unveiled a detailed plan in Paris on January 6 to bolster Kyiv—including deploying British and French troops after a ceasefire—while Washington’s absence from the final declaration cast doubts over U.S. reliability, Caliber.Az reports per the American political newspaper.

“We have largely finished the security protocols,” U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said, standing alongside the leaders of France, Germany, the U.K. and Ukraine at the Elysée Palace. “This is important so that when this war ends, it ends forever,” he added, after praising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his “outstanding team.”

French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the agreed-upon measures, which include U.S.-led monitoring of a future ceasefire and deployment of a European-led multinational force in Ukraine.

“Security guarantees are the key to ensuring that a peace agreement can never mean a Ukrainian surrender and that a peace agreement can never mean a new threat to Ukraine,” Macron said.

However, the final statement was signed only by the so-called “coalition of the willing,” a group of allies excluding the U.S. Earlier drafts had included explicit American commitments to support a multinational force if attacked and to provide intelligence and logistical aid. Those provisions were removed before the Paris meeting.

Witkoff, asked about Washington’s role, insisted that Trump “strongly stands behind security protocols” and added: “The president does not back down from his commitments … we will be there for Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy stressed the need for Congressional approval to underpin the guarantees. “We are counting a lot on that, the documents are ready,” he said.

European leaders have laid out plans to deploy troops and establish military hubs in Ukraine, with France and the U.K. prepared to put boots on the ground. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin was open to deploying forces in a neighbouring NATO country but emphasised parliamentary approval would be required.

Some countries, including Greece, have declined to participate in post-war military deployments but may contribute in other ways.

By Aghakazim Guliyev