Leaders from 26 countries gathered in Paris on 4 September 2025 for the Coalition of the Willing summit. The meeting, headed by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, was intended to establish a comprehensive security framework for Ukraine following a potential ceasefire with Russia.
Ukraine Gains Diplomatic Victory as Nations Commit to Post-War Defense
Diplomatic Triumph for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the coalition as a diplomatic achievement and noted that the support is essential to protect the sovereignty of his country and deter future aggression. The summit underscored a unified commitment among allies to reinforce the defense infrastructure of Ukraine in a post-conflict environment.
The coalition includes European powers such as France, Germany, and Italy, alongside other allies including Canada, Japan, and Australia. Although specific contributions from each country have not been fully disclosed, members are expected to provide military support, equipment, and strategic assistance to ensure Ukraine remains resilient against external threats.
Key measures proposed by the coalition include deployment of reassurance forces in non-conflict zones, conducting air patrols over Ukrainian airspace, and performing naval demining operations. These initiatives are intended to enhance its defensive capacity, strengthen deterrence, and signal an international commitment to maintain regional stability and security.
The security guarantees of the coalition are required to undergo political and legal formalization before implementation. Participating countries need to secure parliamentary approvals, align initiatives with international law, and coordinate strategies to ensure the measures are effective. Legal compliance and diplomatic consensus are fundamental.
Differing National Commitments
Poland specified that it will not contribute ground troops to Ukraine. This signals the challenges of balancing national interests within the coalition and the varying levels of engagement and differing risk assessments among allied nations. The Coalition of the Willing must consider these factors when finalizing deployment strategies and security commitments.
The United States has committed to supporting Ukraine without sending ground forces. It plans to provide a strategic backstop to ensure that European allies assume main responsibility for defense measures. This approach reflects a shared international effort while balancing domestic political considerations and operational limitations of the U.S. military.
Plans remain dependent on a formal ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia. Participating nations intend to swiftly implement security measures once an agreement is achieved to reinforce the sovereignty of Ukraine and deter future aggression. Coordinated multinational action will be essential for maintaining long-term stability throughout the region.
Note that NATO earlier announced on 22 August 2025 a two-layer security-guarantee plan for Ukraine that involves building the long-term military capacity of Ukraine to resist external aggression and enhancing deterrence mechanisms further through external guarantees to raise the cost for Russia of considering renewed aggression in the future.
Photo Credit: Christophe Licoppe / European Union / EC – Audiovisual Service / 2025 / Volodymyr Zelenskyy & Emmanuel Macron – Paris 2025 / Adapted / CC BY 4.0