Britain and France announced to their allies in the US and EU that they have decided to establish military bases on Ukrainian soil during the Paris Conference on Ukraine, which took place today, January 6, and will continue tomorrow, the 7th. Despite Franco-British determination, there was a divergence of views among Western allies, with German Chancellor Merz limiting himself to a low-expectation formulation, stating that Berlin could deploy forces "on NATO territory adjacent to it." For his part, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, in an equally cautious tone, signaled that the political framework has been set, but the substance of the commitments—namely, who undertakes what and with what means—has not yet been finalized. The details, according to him, will be the subject of further consultations among the allies. As highlighted by Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, discussions will continue tomorrow, January 7, when the final decisions of the NATO partners for Ukraine will be announced.
What was (and wasn't) decided in Paris regarding Ukraine
During today's conference in Paris, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a declaration of intent for the future deployment of a multinational force in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian media outlet "Strana." The document concerns the deployment of Western troops after the end of the conflict. However, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, "agreements on specific guarantees from each country are still in the draft stage." The document is framework-based and expresses only intentions; it contains no specific commitments regarding the number, form, or duration of the foreign military presence.
Tusk: Political framework, not binding decisions on security guarantees
The leaders of the so-called "coalition of the willing" adopted the Paris Declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine; however, the text does not include specific and binding obligations from the participating states. This was clarified by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk after the meeting of European leaders held in Paris. In statements to journalists, broadcast via the official social media accounts of his office, Donald Tusk stated that the Declaration constitutes "a joint European-American commitment to provide security guarantees to Ukraine."
Individual agreements
At the same time, however, he emphasized that individual agreements concerning specific guarantees from each country remain at the planning stage. As the Polish Prime Minister clarified, the political framework has been set, but the substance of the commitments—who assumes what and by what means—has not yet been finalized. The details, according to him, will be the subject of further consultations among the allies. Particular importance is also attributed to the role of the United States. Donald Tusk noted that a common position, which will clarify US participation in the security guarantee system for Ukraine, is expected to be formulated by the end of January. The adoption of the Paris Declaration marks, according to European sources, another political step of support toward Kyiv, yet the absence of specific commitments highlights ongoing disagreements and reservations within the West regarding the scope and form of security guarantees that can be given to Ukraine at this stage.
Europeans await American decision on troops in Ukraine
It was previously reported that the US and the European Union wish to agree on plans for security guarantees for Ukraine at the Paris summit and to incorporate Washington's proposals into the "coalition of the willing" plan. As noted by Bloomberg, the security agreement includes the possibility of a US troop presence in the country after peace is concluded, but it remains unclear what role they will play and exactly where they will be deployed.
Britain and France to create military bases across Ukraine
Britain and France will install military bases throughout the territory of Ukraine after the ceasefire, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced following the Paris summit, as reported by the Ria agency. Furthermore, Paris and London intend to construct secure warehouses for equipment and weapons for the Ukrainian army. According to Keir Starmer, Britain also intends to participate in the US-led ceasefire monitoring mission. "Secondly, we will support the long-term provision of weapons for the defense of Ukraine. And thirdly, we will work to commit to supporting Ukraine in the event of a future armed attack by Russia," he stated.
Merz steps back: "We might deploy troops in Poland..."
For his part, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted that Berlin, after the end of the conflict in Ukraine, could deploy forces "on NATO territory adjacent to it." Ukraine is on the brink of an energy and humanitarian crisis, Friedrich Merz added, according to reports from Strana.ua on Telegram. The Chancellor emphasized that, given the current situation, Kyiv's allies are intensifying efforts to end the conflict.
"Coalition of the Willing" to help Ukrainian army with weapons, funding, and fortifications
Meanwhile, it became known that the "Coalition of the Willing" will support the Ukrainian armed forces with weapons, funding, and the construction of fortification works. Support for the Ukrainian armed forces from the "coalition of the willing" will include financial assistance, weapon supplies, and practical help in building fortifications, as stated in the informal alliance's declaration published after the Paris summit. "The Alliance agreed to continue providing significant long-term military aid and weapons to the Ukrainian armed forces," the text characteristically notes. It is mentioned that this concerns "long-term defense packages, support with funding for weapon purchases, ongoing cooperation with Ukraine on its national budget to fund the armed forces, providing access to defense warehouses that can offer rapid additional assistance in the event of a future armed attack, as well as providing practical and technical assistance to Ukraine for the construction of defensive fortifications."
Steven Witkoff: Donald Trump's team will do everything for peace in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump desires peace in Ukraine and his team will do everything possible to achieve this goal, commented the US President's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. "President Donald Trump wants peace in Ukraine and we are committed, under his guidance, to doing everything possible to achieve this goal," stated Steven Witkoff, speaking to reporters after the meeting of the "coalition of the willing" in Paris. According to Steven Witkoff, "great progress" was made during the contacts of the American representatives. "And based on everything that happened today, we expect to achieve even greater progress," he added. "We believe we have largely completed the agreement on security protocols, so that the people of Ukraine understand that when this ends, it will have ended forever," Steve Witkoff emphasized, while admitting that the parties are also "very close to an agreement" in the economic sector.
Italian satisfaction with the "Willing" decision in Paris – Meloni: We support the endeavor but are not sending troops
For her part, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who also participated in the "coalition of the willing" meeting in Paris, expressed her satisfaction with the results of the process. As explained, the discussion focused on clarifying the security guarantees for Ukraine. "These guarantees will be part of a broader package of agreements to be adopted in close coordination with Washington to ensure the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, including through an effective and comprehensive mechanism for monitoring the desired ceasefire and strengthening the Ukrainian armed forces," the statement says. Giorgia Meloni also confirmed that Italy will not send its troops to Ukraine. "The voluntary participation of the alliance countries in the multinational force and the adherence to constitutional procedures for decision-making regarding support for Ukraine in the event of a future attack, as described in the adopted declaration, reflect the principles repeatedly expressed by Italy," the text notes. The meeting confirmed the high level of agreement between Ukraine, the United States, Europe, and other partners, the statement concludes.
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