Paris: World leaders will gather in Paris on Thursday to weigh a sweeping proposal for long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, as Russia’s war drags into its third year with no end in sight.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey visited Kyiv and pledged that Britain and its allies would help “make the skies safe, to make the seas safe, and to secure the land” once a peace agreement is reached. Healey confirmed that £1 billion in seized Russian assets would be funneled into military aid for Ukraine.
The proposals under discussion include continued arms supplies, expanded military training programs, and even the possible deployment of European troops to Ukraine to deter future Russian aggression. French officials say any such move would require final approval from Washington, which is expected to act as the ultimate guarantor of any deal.
“This is about ensuring that once peace comes, it lasts,” said one French official involved in the planning.
But the summit comes at a fragile moment. Germany has already ruled out sending troops, and while some allies have expressed solidarity, concrete commitments remain scarce.
Meanwhile, Russia remains unmoved. Speaking from Beijing, President Vladimir Putin reiterated his maximalist demands and threatened further military escalation if talks collapse. “If common sense prevails, it will be possible to agree,” he said. “Otherwise, we will resolve all our tasks militarily.”
On the ground, the suffering continues. A Russian missile strike last week on a residential block in Kyiv killed 22 civilians, including four children, in one of the deadliest single attacks of the war. The bombing has intensified public frustration in Ukraine, where many are losing patience with international diplomacy.
That anger has been stoked further by recent optics—particularly U.S. President Donald Trump's red-carpet treatment of Putin at a high-profile event last month.
