France (Washington Insider Magazine)—March 27, 2025—Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that not all European countries are on board with deploying troops to Ukraine as part of a proposed “reassurance force”, following a high-level summit in Paris aimed at bolstering support for Kyiv.
Hosted at the Élysée Palace, the summit brought together leaders from nearly 30 nations, including the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and top EU and NATO representatives. It marked the third meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing”, which supports Ukraine’s efforts to negotiate a ceasefire with Moscow.
Diverging Opinions on Troop Deployment
Macron stated clearly that unanimity is not needed to proceed with the initiative, revealing that France and the UK would move forward with the creation of a joint European reassurance force. However, he acknowledged that not all allies were willing or able to participate.
Some countries expressed hesitation. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated that Italy does not plan to contribute troops, while Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala labeled discussions on European boots on the ground as “premature” until ceasefire terms are more concrete.
Not a Peacekeeping Force, But a Deterrent
Macron emphasized that the reassurance force is not intended as a front-line peacekeeping force, nor a replacement for the Ukrainian military. Instead, it would serve as a deterrent against potential future Russian aggression.
Talks are now underway to determine where the force might be deployed, with decisions dependent on political support and logistical capabilities among participating countries.
Macron and Starmer to Co-Lead Strategic Efforts
The summit concluded with an agreement that Macron and Starmer will “co-pilot” the coalition’s actions, shaping future European security architecture and contributing to what Macron called “tomorrow’s Ukrainian army”.
France has already committed an additional €2 billion ($2.16 billion) in military aid, including missiles, aircraft, and air defense systems. Zelenskyy hinted that other countries may also unveil new aid packages shortly.
Russian Response and Diplomatic Tensions
Russia condemned the reassurance force as a covert military intervention. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused the UK and France of using peacekeeping as a façade, warning of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.
At the same time, Moscow expressed outrage over sanctions tied to the SWIFT payment system, demanding the reinstatement of Rosselkhozbank as a precondition for continued ceasefire talks in the Black Sea.
The EU firmly responded, saying sanctions will only be eased when Russia withdraws its troops from Ukrainian territory.
Zelenskyy Warns Against Sanctions Easing
Zelenskyy warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to divide the West, criticizing any “dangerous signals” of easing sanctions. He also accused Russia of violating a temporary US-brokered ceasefire agreement by bombing Kherson, killing at least two civilians and causing widespread power outages.
Meanwhile, Russia claimed Ukraine had launched drone and artillery attacks on Bryansk and Crimea, targeting energy infrastructure in retaliation.
Starmer: ‘Russia is Playing Games’
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed Zelenskyy’s concerns, stating, “Russia is playing games,” and insisted that the West must stay firm. He stressed that easing pressure now would be a strategic mistake.
Despite mixed opinions on military involvement, the summit displayed broad support for continuing to supply Ukraine with weapons and economic aid, reinforcing its position ahead of any future ceasefire negotiations.
