Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer assure Ukraine of support for security troops.Image: keystone
The international protection force to provide military security for a possible ceasefire in Ukraine is taking shape.
Jan 7, 2026, 6:41 a.mJan 7, 2026, 6:41 a.m
At a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing in Paris, France, Great Britain and Ukraine signed a declaration that provides a basis for the deployment of foreign troops in the attacked country. Another meeting in Paris on Wednesday between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and his counterparts from France and Poland will also be about supporting Ukraine, which is being attacked by Russia.
For Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Tuesday for the first time that the Bundeswehr would participate in peacekeeping – not in Ukraine itself, but on NATO soil near the border. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has already spoken of deploying British and French forces on Ukrainian soil after a ceasefire. A fundamental problem in European planning remains: Moscow strictly rejects foreign troops, especially from NATO countries, in Ukraine.
Representatives from 35 countries, including 27 heads of state and government, took part in the deliberations in Paris. Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO chief Mark Rutte also took part in the summit. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, came for the USA.
Paris and London want to send troops to Ukraine
Starmer said in his announcement that the aim was to “secure Ukrainian air and sea space and rebuild the Ukrainian armed forces for the future.” Other allies also want to send their units to Ukraine.
This is not about an operation on the future ceasefire line. According to the plans, this should be monitored remotely by the USA using technical means. The foreign troops should help regenerate the Ukrainian army in the rear or outside Ukraine and contribute to deterrence. In addition to Germany, Spain and Belgium also agreed to such missions.
Merz holds out the prospect of German participation
Merz tied the participation of the Bundeswehr to clear agreements for a ceasefire. “Germany will continue to contribute politically, financially and also militarily. This could include, for example, that after a ceasefire we register forces for Ukraine on neighboring NATO territory,” said the CDU politician in Paris. The NATO states Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia border Ukraine. These countries could therefore be considered as locations.
The Federal Government and the Bundestag must decide on the type and extent of a German contribution as soon as the conditions for this have been clarified, said Merz.
“I want to say for myself and also for the federal government: We are fundamentally not ruling anything out.”
This means that sending Bundeswehr soldiers to Ukraine cannot be ruled out.
Friedrich Merz is ready to involve the German army in a protective operation for Ukraine.Image: keystone
Binding security guarantees with military aid
In addition to support for the Ukrainian army, the Coalition of the Willing issued a joint statement promising Kiev binding security guarantees for the first time, which is seen as a strong signal. “We are ready to commit to a system of politically and legally binding guarantees that will come into force as soon as a ceasefire comes into force,” said EU Council President António Costa after the discussions.
A central point here is the plan to give Ukraine politically and legally binding assurances that it will not be left alone in the event of another Russian attack. “These commitments may include the use of military capabilities,” the joint statement said explicitly. The US pledged its support to the coalition at the Paris summit and will play a key role in overseeing a peace agreement, according to the final declaration.
Zelenskyj: Despite progress, the question of territory remains
Ukrainian President Zelenskyj spoke of great progress in the peace talks. But territorial issues have not been 100 percent resolved, he said. Ukrainian negotiators should therefore stay on site and continue the talks. US negotiator Witkoff also said that this issue had not yet been resolved.
This dispute is about whether Ukraine – as demanded by Moscow – will completely withdraw its troops from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east. The USA is urging Kiev to do this because otherwise peace with Russia cannot be achieved. Ukraine rejects this. Moscow recently declared that it would conquer these territories militarily anyway.
Putin celebrates Orthodox Christmas
An official reaction from Moscow to the Paris summit was still pending. But it is hardly to be expected that the Kremlin will accept the results, commented Russian political scientist Vladimir Frolov on Network X.
In Russia, Christmas Eve of Orthodox Christmas was celebrated on Tuesday. President Vladimir Putin made a demonstrative appearance with Russian soldiers and their families in a church near Moscow.
This will be important today
German Foreign Minister Wadephul (CDU) meets in Paris with his colleagues from France and Poland, Jean-Noël Barrot and Radoslaw Sikorski. This meeting of the so-called Weimar Triangle will also be about European support for Ukraine, which is being attacked by Russia. (sda/dpa/con)