Convergence in Paris on Ukraine’s Security
On September 4, 2025, US Special Envoy Steve Witkov met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and various European leaders in Paris. The main focus of their discussions was to secure long-term assurances for Ukraine amid ongoing peace negotiations with Russia.
This Paris conference, characterized as a “coalition of will,” included key players from major European nations, along with representatives from Australia, Canada, and Japan. They deliberated on the potential integration of European forces in Ukraine as part of a peace settlement that could act as a safeguard against further aggression from Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for Ukraine’s security strategy, affirming, “We are ready to provide security assurances to Ukraine when there is a signed peace.” This endorsement may provide some hope, but questions linger about whether European military commitments can proceed without significant US support. Indeed, many European officials have indicated that any military deployments would likely rely on a US safety net.
Interestingly, conversations with unnamed European officials suggested that the push for military backing for Ukraine also aimed to send a message to former President Donald Trump, particularly regarding the stalled negotiations between Moscow and Kiev since their last meeting in Alaska.
On the other side, the Russian Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Maria Zakharova, vehemently opposed any Western military involvement in Ukraine, stating unequivocally, “Russia is not going to discuss any unacceptable foreign intervention in Ukraine.” This highlights an ongoing discord between Russian perspectives and Western actions.
NATO Director General Mark Latte emphasized that Russia’s opinions should not dictate Ukraine’s military decisions, reinforcing that Ukraine is a sovereign entity. He stated, “Why are you interested in Russia thinking about Ukrainian military? It’s a sovereign country. Russia has nothing to do with this.” His remarks hint at a broader dialogue about empowering Ukraine rather than reinforcing Russia’s stance.
Post-meeting, Andry Yahmack, the chief of staff to President Zelensky, stressed the need for robust security across all domains—land, sea, air, and cyberspace. It remains to be seen how these discussions will translate into actionable agreements.
Reportedly, European leaders attending the conference plan to reach out to President Trump following their discussions, indicating that this issue is far from resolved and continues to evolve.
