Ukraine's allies praise major progress on defense guarantees if a peace
deal is struck with Russia
[January 07, 2026]
By SYLVIE CORBET and JOHN LEICESTER
PARIS (AP) — Ukraine’s allies said they made major progress Tuesday
toward agreeing on how to defend the country if a peace deal is struck
with Russia, saying they were ready to provide international guarantees
to deter Moscow from attacking its neighbor again.
Plans discussed at a key meeting in Paris included having the U.S. lead
an effort to monitor any ceasefire — which could give Washington a
direct role in keeping any peace with Russia.
Leaders from 27 European countries and Canada, as well as U.S.
representatives and top officials from the European Union and NATO, said
they would provide Kyiv’s front-line forces with equipment and training
and back them up with air, land and sea support to deter any future
Russian attack.
This was the 15th and largest meeting of the so-called "coalition of the
willing" — involving more heads of state and governments than ever and
U.S. envoys in person for the first time.
The post-ceasefire architecture would also include beefing up Ukraine’s
war-battered army, including by replenishing its weapons stocks, so it
could act as the country’s front-line deterrence against a resumption of
fighting.
There was no immediate comment from officials in Russia on Tuesday,
which was the eve of Orthodox Christmas.
Details of the plan were not disclosed
The size of the supporting forces was not made public, and many of the
details of the plan — which would only apply if a ceasefire enters into
force — remain unclear.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the meeting made “excellent
progress” but cautioned that “the hardest yards are still ahead,” noting
that Russian attacks on Ukraine continue.
Moscow has revealed few details of its stance in the U.S.-led peace
negotiations. Officials have reaffirmed Russia’s demands and have
insisted there can be no ceasefire until a comprehensive settlement is
agreed. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out any deployment of
troops from NATO countries on Ukrainian soil.
Starmer added that there can only be peace if Russia compromises, and
added: “Putin is not showing that he is ready for peace.”
Zelenskyy agreed progress was made
In the event of a ceasefire, Starmer said the U.K. and France “will
establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities
for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraine’s defensive
needs.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed progress was made in the
talks, although commitments need to be ratified by each country so that
they can be put in place after any settlement.
“We determined what countries are ready to take leadership in the
elements of security guarantees on the ground, in the air, and at sea,
and in restoration,” Zelenskyy told a news conference in Paris. “We
determined what forces are needed. We determined, how these forces will
be operated and at what levels of command.”
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said the U.S. “strongly stands behind” security
guarantees. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who also participated in
the meeting, called the Paris meeting “a very, very, big milestone.”
“This does not mean we will make peace, but peace would not be possible
without the progress that we have made today,” Kushner said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the security statement endorsed by
Ukraine’s allies is a “significant step” toward ending Russia’s
invasion. The coalition plans also envisage a Ukrainian army with
800,000 troops, he said.
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French President Emmanuel Macron, right, shakes hands to Ukraine's
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the signing of the declaration
on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine during the 'Coalition
of the Willing' summit on security guarantees for Ukraine, at the
Elysee Palace in Paris Tuesday, Jan 6, 2026. (Ludovic Marin, Pool
photo via AP)
Commitments still need to be finalized
A joint statement issued following the meeting said the allies also
agreed to continue long-term military assistance and armament to
Ukraine’s armed forces, which “will remain the first line of defense
and deterrence” after any peace deal is signed.
The allies still must finalize “binding commitments” setting out
what they will do to support Ukraine, the statement said.
The outcome of the meeting had been uncertain as the Trump
administration's focus is shifting to Venezuela, while U.S.
suggestions of a Greenland takeover caused tension with Europe, and
Moscow shows no signs of compromise.
A series of meetings on the summit's sidelines illustrated the
intensity of the diplomatic effort and the complexity of its moving
parts.
Zelenskyy met with Macron ahead of the summit. French, British and
Ukrainian military chiefs also met, with NATO’s top commander, U.S.
Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, participating in talks that France’s army
chief said focused on implementing security guarantees. Army chiefs
from other coalition nations joined by video.
Macron’s office said the U.S. delegation was initially set to be led
by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but he changed his plans after
the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.
Tension rises over Greenland comments
Trump on Sunday renewed his call for the U.S. to take control of
Greenland, a strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island.
The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the U.K. on
Tuesday joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in defending
Greenland’s sovereignty in the wake of Trump’s comments about the
self-governing territory of the kingdom of Denmark.
Macron on Tuesday declined answering a question on Greenland as he
was speaking about Ukraine alongside U.S. envoys Kushner and Witkoff.
In fighting Tuesday, Ukraine’s Security Service carried out drone
strikes on a military arsenal and an oil depot deep inside Russia,
according to a security official who was not authorized to comment
publicly and thus spoke on condition of anonymity.
The long-range drones hit the arsenal in Russia’s Kostroma region,
triggering explosions that lasted for hours and forced the
evacuation of nearby settlements, the official said. The site was
described as a key logistics hub supplying ammunition in western and
central Russia.
In a separate strike, Ukraine Security Service drones hit an oil
depot in Russia’s Lipetsk region, causing a huge fire, the official
said.
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John Leicester in Paris; Volodymyr Yurchuk in Kyiv, Ukraine; Will
Weissert in Washington; Jill Lawless in London and Barry Hatton in
Lisbon, Portugal, contributed.
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