KYIV, Sep 4: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with European leaders and US envoy Steve Witkoff in Paris on Thursday to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
Witkoff, appointed by President Donald Trump to mediate peace talks, joined the “coalition of the willing” meeting focused on long-term military aid and plans for post-war support to deter future Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy held a closed-door meeting with Witkoff, while French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer led the broader talks.
Both leaders stressed that any European “reassurance” force in Ukraine would require US backing. Starmer reaffirmed the group’s “unbreakable pledge” to Ukraine, with Trump’s support, and said further action was needed to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin. The coalition also agreed to supply long-range missiles to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
Macron noted that preparatory work on the guarantees was complete and now needed political approval.
Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak called for strong, multi-domain guarantees—on land, at sea, in the air, and cyberspace.
Earlier this month, Zelenskyy said the US had shown positive signals toward supporting NATO-style security guarantees.
However, the exact nature of US backing remains unclear. Ukraine is especially seeking continued US intelligence sharing and air support.
Some leaders attended the Paris talks in person; others joined virtually. A phone call with Trump was scheduled after the meeting.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, attending virtually, called for a unified front to deter further Russian aggression, warning of possible future strikes on other European nations.
Meanwhile, Russia launched 112 strike and decoy drones overnight across Ukraine, with 84 intercepted or jammed.
Russia also expelled an Estonian diplomat in retaliation for a similar move by Estonia. (AP)
