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French President Emmanuel Macron pledged $2.6 billion (€2 billion) in additional military aid to Kyiv during a high-level summit in Paris on March 27, 2025.

The summit, which brought together leaders from around 30 countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, NATO, and Turkey, focused on strengthening Ukraine’s military posture, exploring the contours of a possible peace agreement with Russia, and discussing Europe’s role in a post-war security framework.

The Paris summit marked the third gathering of what France and Britain have termed the “coalition of the willing,” a group concerned by waning American commitment to Ukraine, considering shifting political dynamics in Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump, who returned to office on January 20, has publicly expressed a desire to broker a swift end to the war, but his administration has yet to produce a concrete breakthrough.

Amidst the tense geopolitical climate, Macron emphasized the importance of sustained support for Ukraine. “First and foremost, we will discuss the immediate support for Ukraine. It must go on because it is necessary to continue the resistance,” he said in a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday evening ahead of the important summit.

I want to highlight France’s efforts in helping us defend against Russian strikes. In particular, your "Mirages"—combat aircraft made in France—have performed very well. I am particularly grateful for them—they have already become a part of our air shield and are helping us… pic.twitter.com/ccHbSvWTKM

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 26, 2025

France leads the way as Europe seeks strategic direction

The new French aid package, which includes missiles, fighter jets, and air defense systems, underscores Macron’s intent to position Europe not only as a critical supplier of military aid but also as a central player in shaping any future peace accord. Zelenskyy confirmed that other partners may also announce new assistance packages during the summit, boosting Ukraine’s defensive capabilities as the war stretches into its third year.

While the United States was notably absent from the summit, Macron reportedly held talks with President Trump ahead of the meeting. French officials confirmed that the summit’s outcomes will be shared with Washington. The emphasis, they said, was on building Europe’s capacity to support Ukraine independently of U.S. domestic political shifts.

Possible ceasefires and emerging tensions

The summit follows a recent agreement between Kyiv and Moscow on March 18 to halt strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure. However, both sides have since accused each other of violating the limited truce. Meanwhile, U.S.-led negotiations in Saudi Arabia earlier this week reportedly yielded an agreement for a temporary ceasefire in the Black Sea. Washington stated it had signed separate agreements with both sides, but Russia included stringent conditions.

Among Moscow’s demands was the reinstatement of Russian state agricultural lender Rosselkhozbank into the SWIFT international payment system, a condition the European Union swiftly rejected. “It can be reinstated only when Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine,” the EU said on Wednesday.

“Reassurance Force” sparks debate among allies

One of the more controversial topics at the summit was the proposal for a potential European “reassurance force” to deter future aggression against Ukraine. The concept suggests the establishment of a security presence in Ukraine with European backing, possibly supported by the U.S., to provide post-war guarantees.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaled cautious support for the idea, with his office stating: “The Prime Minister will underline that all must come together to support Ukraine to remain in the fight and back U.S. efforts to make real progress despite continued Russian obfuscation.”

European planning has so far included assessments of military capabilities such as tanks, aircraft, intelligence sharing, and logistics. However, the proposal faces opposition within the coalition. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reiterated his country’s position, “Not sending troops on a mission unless they are part of the United Nations, is the only condition for us to deploy military personnel,” in Ukraine, he said following a cabinet meeting.

Zelenskyy acknowledged the complexities of securing concrete commitments to such a force, stating that he hoped for greater clarity soon: “It is not simple and it is early in the process,” he remarked.

Russia issues strong warnings

Russia responded to the summit’s discussions with harsh rhetoric. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused France and Britain of plotting a military intervention under the pretense of peacekeeping. She warned that such an intervention “could lead to a direct military clash between Russia and NATO.”

This stark warning underscores the fragile nature of the conflict and the delicacy required in any military or diplomatic maneuvering by Ukraine’s Western partners.

Looking ahead

As the war in Ukraine grinds on with no clear end in sight, the Paris summit has highlighted the urgency of European leadership in supporting Kyiv, both militarily and diplomatically. While divisions persist over long-term strategies, particularly around troop deployments and peacekeeping, the unified message of support from major European powers remains clear.

The next few weeks could prove critical. With limited ceasefires on the table and backchannel talks continuing, the international community’s ability to translate military aid and political resolve into sustainable peace will be tested as never before.

Хочу відзначити зусилля Франції в допомозі нам зараз оборонятись від російських ударів. Зокрема, дуже добре показали себе ваші «міражі» – бойові літаки, зроблені у Франції. Дякую вам за них особливо – вони вже стали частиною нашого повітряного щита й допомагають нам захищатися… pic.twitter.com/xvNtV3B2Xz

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 26, 2025