26 Countries Pledge Troops for Ukraine Post-Ceasefire Security

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries have pledged to deploy troops or maintain a military presence on land, sea, or air in Ukraine as a "reassurance force" following a ceasefire or peace agreement with Russia. This coalition, known as the "Coalition of the Willing," aims to guarantee Ukraine's security and prevent further large-scale aggression, without seeking to engage in war with Russia. Macron emphasized that the deployment would occur under ceasefire conditions and not at the front lines, with geographic zones for the forces currently being determined. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the commitment as the first concrete step in securing Ukraine's future safety. The coalition leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump, have expressed strong support, with the latter's backing considered crucial. Macron also indicated that new sanctions against Russia would be coordinated with the United States should Moscow resist peace efforts.