Paris gathers a “coalition of the resolute”: focusing on peacekeepers, rules of engagement, and guarantees for Ukraine

A meeting of the so-called “coalition of the resolute” is scheduled in Paris today — a group of countries discussing the readiness to send troops as part of a potential peacekeeping contingent to ensure Ukraine’s security.

It is expected that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with the President of France Emmanuel Macron. Then, according to the preliminary agenda, negotiations are to be held with representatives of the USA — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

After bilateral contacts, a general summit is planned: representatives from 35 countries are announced to participate, including 27 presidents and heads of governments. NATO and European Union leaders are also expected to be present at the negotiations.

Reuters notes that the meeting is expected to yield not general formulations, but specific commitments from allies regarding Ukraine’s security — because previous promises often seemed vague and left too many “gray areas.”

What remains unresolved regarding peacekeepers

According to data relayed by European sources and specialized media, four key issues remain in discussions. They determine whether the contingent will be a real deterrent mechanism — or just a political symbol.

1. Contingent size. Working estimates mention 15–20 thousand military personnel, while some participants hope for a level of about 30 thousand. France and the United Kingdom are most frequently named as the main suppliers of forces.

2. Rules of engagement. The most sensitive point: how exactly peacekeepers will respond to possible provocations from Russia. One European diplomat openly admitted that a basic dilemma is being discussed — whether to respond with fire or try to avoid direct confrontations.

3. Deployment geography. There is no clarity on how close to the line of contact the contingent can be located. In European capitals, a more “cautious” model is being discussed in parallel — deployment in western Ukraine for support, training, and strengthening rear resilience.

4. The American factor. Washington is not declared as a participant in the “coalition of the resolute,” but allies are counting on US support — political, intelligence, logistical. The form of this support, according to sources, remains undefined.

A European source from Reuters links today’s meeting with expectations of clearer guarantees from the US. The idea is that Europe’s political decisions will ultimately push Washington towards a clear format of support — similar to what was discussed in bilateral contacts in December.

Before the summit, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk outlined the goal: to develop a common position between Europe and the US on ending the conflict. On the table, an updated version of the 20-point peace plan is expected, although Tusk himself warned that the meeting is unlikely to conclude with the signing of final documents.

Moscow previously rejected the option of deploying foreign troops in Ukraine. At the same time, in December 2022, the Russian side indicated that it could theoretically discuss European peacekeepers after the end of the war. The press secretary of the President of Russia, Dmitry Peskov, emphasized: Moscow’s position remains unchanged, but the “topic is discussable” — a formulation that leaves room for tactics.

And another layer that cannot be ignored: the war has gradually become the backdrop of everyday life — both in Europe and beyond. Fear and tension in parts of societies are replaced by fatigue and a desire for a “quiet exit,” but such periods often make security particularly fragile. Therefore, in Paris today, they will talk not only about politics but also about the mechanics of deterrence — and NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency will continue to monitor what this turns into in practice.