U.S. to lead "multinational force" for Ukraine's security

efsyn.gr

EUROPE 06.01.26

The draft joint declaration, as reported by Agence France-Presse, outlines the details of a "multinational force" with European participation under U.S. leadership.

According to a draft joint declaration ahead of the Paris summit, the United States will lead a "ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism" with European involvement if a peace agreement is reached in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

According to a draft statement cited by Agence France-Presse, Washington will commit to "supporting" a European-led multinational force, which will be deployed in Ukraine after any ceasefire, in case of a future attack by Russia, in order to restore peace.

"There will be a continuous, reliable ceasefire monitoring system. This will be led by the U.S. with international participation," the draft statement reads. The multinational force to be deployed after the ceasefire will provide "assurance measures in the air, at sea, and on land" for Ukraine and will ensure the "regeneration of Ukraine's armed forces."

These elements will be under European leadership, and there will be U.S. participation in intelligence, logistical support, as well as diplomatic initiatives and potential sanctions. At the same time, it is "a U.S. commitment to support in case of an attack" by Russia.

Finally, the draft emphasizes the progress made in recent weeks during discussions on security guarantees, even though Moscow has not given any public sign that it intends to accept them.

A total of 35 countries, including 27 leaders (among them the Greek Prime Minister), are in Paris to finalize security guarantees after a ceasefire in Ukraine under the banner of the European "Coalition of the Willing" - a framework designed to deter Russian aggression and clarify how Kyiv's supporters will react if Moscow violates the truce.

Emmanuel Macron, after the meeting of the "willing," promised that the leaders would demonstrate their "convergence" regarding the security guarantees to be given to Kyiv and would clarify the outline of a "multinational force" to be established if a ceasefire with Moscow is agreed upon.

The French president has already met with Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney and will subsequently meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. envoy Steve Whitkoff, and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law. At the end of the day, Presidents Macron and Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are expected to hold a press conference.

The leaders are expected to clarify their common vision for how a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia will be achieved and how the multinational force will be operationally deployed to "secure Ukraine in the air, at sea, and on land" against the risk of a new Russian attack after a potential peace agreement.