European Leaders Meet in Paris to Support Ukraine with Military Aid

European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, gathered in Paris to discuss the formation of a 'coalition of the willing' aimed at deploying a reassurance force to support Ukraine following a potential ceasefire. While France and the UK are leading the initiative, other European allies have not universally committed to sending troops, highlighting a lack of consensus. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda emphasized the urgent need for military support for Ukraine, arguing that any agreements without a security force would likely be disregarded by Russia. The summit sought to establish a framework for long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, with Macron suggesting that deployed troops would not engage on the frontlines but would respond if attacked. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated the necessity of European support to strengthen Kyiv's position against Russia. Despite these efforts, the U.S. remains hesitant about deploying ground forces, complicating the coalition's plans.