Macron: 26 Countries Pledge to Deploy Assurance Forces to Ukraine

Kokcha News Agency – During a hybrid-format Leaders’ Summit of the Coalition of Volunteers, co-chaired by France and the UK, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that 26 countries have committed to deploying assurance forces to Ukraine.

Following the summit, Macron held phone calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump. Macron and Zelensky later held a joint press conference in Paris.

Macron stated that the U.S., Ukraine, European countries, and members of the Coalition of Volunteers are on the side of peace in the Russia-Ukraine war. “Russia was the only country that chose war in 2022, just as it did in Georgia in 2008 and in Crimea and Donbas in 2014. Today, Russia is the only country choosing to continue the war and even intensify it, sometimes with the tacit approval of many partners,” Macron said.

He emphasized that Ukraine did not choose war and that President Trump has accepted an unconditional ceasefire. Macron accused Russia of constantly making excuses, employing delaying tactics, and seeking to buy time while remaining intent on continuing the war.

Macron noted that the exact number of casualties in the war is unknown, but he stated, “Russia has lost over 1 million soldiers on its frontlines to gain less than 1% of Ukrainian territory. These soldiers were either killed or wounded.”

The French President criticized Russia’s precondition for all peace talks—that Ukraine withdraw from areas where its army has suffered heavy losses—as “immoral, illegal, and impossible.” He argued that from the beginning, these talks could only be possible with a ceasefire or peace agreement alongside strong security guarantees for Ukraine.

Macron announced that, as part of the ceasefire, 26 countries from the Coalition of Volunteers have pledged to deploy assurance forces to Ukraine or “be present on land, sea, or air.” He clarified that this force is not aimed at waging any war against Russia.

The French President also stated that the Coalition of Volunteers has clarified the military and political contributions of its 35 members to provide peace and security guarantees for Ukraine. He emphasized that the negotiations aim to ensure there are no limitations on the capacity of the Ukrainian army.