Paris coalition signs intent for Western troops after ceasefire At a Paris summit of the “Coalition of the Willing,” the United Kingdom and France signed a declaration to deploy forces on Ukrainian soil once a ceasefire is reached, while 27 European states, Canada, the United States, EU and NATO officials pledged long‑term military assistance and equipment [1][5][4]. The joint statement framed Ukraine’s army as the “first line of defense” and mentioned future multinational hubs and protected facilities, though it stopped short of specifying troop numbers [3][5]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a peace deal is “90 percent ready,” but the deployment pledge remains conditional on a formal settlement [1][2].

Zelensky demands legally binding security guarantees Zelensky told reporters that Kyiv has not received a clear, unambiguous pledge that Western partners will defend Ukraine against future Russian aggression [2][3]. He emphasized that any guarantee must be ratified by national parliaments and, for the United States, by Congress before it can be considered binding [2]. The lack of a formal commitment fuels Kyiv’s caution, even as allies describe the Paris outcome as a “significant step” [5][1].

Moscow declares any Western troops legitimate targets The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that deployment of Western military units, facilities or infrastructure on Ukrainian territory would constitute foreign intervention and “legitimate military targets” for Russian forces [1]. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the coalition an “axis of war,” echoing earlier Kremlin statements that NATO‑style forces on Ukrainian soil would be attacked [5]. These threats underscore Moscow’s red line that no NATO or EU troops may operate inside Ukraine.

Allies outline multilayered deterrence but leave key details open The Paris communique pledged multilayered security guarantees, including air, land and sea support, U.S.–led ceasefire monitoring, and continued weapons deliveries [3][4]. However, the statement omitted specifics on force size, financing, command structures and required parliamentary approvals, creating political and practical hurdles for implementation [3][5]. Territorial questions—particularly the status of the Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant—remain unresolved, keeping the peace framework tentative [1][2].

Russia retains control of significant territory and continues attacks Moscow currently occupies roughly 20 % of Ukraine, including about 75 % of Donetsk and 99 % of Luhansk, and has intensified strikes on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure [2]. Ukraine’s recent long‑range drone strikes on Russian military sites illustrate the ongoing tit‑for‑tat escalation despite ceasefire talks [4]. The contested frontlines and ongoing hostilities reinforce Kyiv’s demand for enforceable security backstops.