New Delhi, January 07, 2026, 02:30 p.m. IST: Western leaders took bold steps toward bolstering Ukraine’s defences during a Paris summit on January 6, 2026, amid accelerating peace talks with Russia. The UK and France signed a declaration committing troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire holds, while the US endorsed monitoring mechanisms and binding guarantees.
Summit Commitments
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to establish military hubs across Ukraine for training, equipment storage, and defence support after any truce.
The “Coalition of the Willing,” involving over 30 nations including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, formalized legally binding security pledges covering military aid, intelligence sharing, and deterrence against future Russian attacks. Zelensky hailed the move as a “huge step forward,” though ratification by individual parliaments remains pending.
Must Read: India-Germany Defence Partnership Strengthens with Landmark Submarine Deal
US Role in Framework
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner confirmed Washington’s support for a ceasefire verification system using drones, sensors, and satellites without deploying troops calling security protocols “as strong as anyone has ever seen.” This marks the first explicit US backing for coalition guarantees, including long-term aid to align Ukraine’s forces with NATO standards. A new US-Ukraine-Coalition coordination cell in Paris will oversee implementation.
Must Read: EU Rejects Rodriguez as Venezuela’s Interim President
Persistent Challenges
Russia views NATO-linked troops in Ukraine as “legitimate targets,” with President Vladimir Putin previously rejecting such deployments amid ongoing territorial disputes in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled potential troop contributions from neighboring NATO bases but stressed parliamentary approval, while Moscow offered no immediate reaction during Orthodox Christmas Eve. Unresolved issues like territorial concessions, nuclear plant control, and Ukraine’s potential referendum on any deal continue to hinder progress.
