French President Emmanuel Macron announced that twenty-six Western allies have formally committed to deploying troops to Ukraine once a ceasefire has been established. This declaration followed a summit involving thirty-five countries, termed the ‘Coalition of the Willing’. However, aspirations for a ceasefire have faded since the recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, which left unresolved tensions in the region.

Macron indicated that the details regarding US support for the proposed reassurance force will be finalised shortly, though direct US military involvement remains unconfirmed. Trump suggested that US aid might be in the form of air support, whilst President Zelensky has emphasised the need for strong assurances of security for Ukraine.

The UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, stated that Western allies have an ‘unbreakable pledge’ to Ukraine, urging for a strong stance against Russia’s continued aggression. Meanwhile, Moscow has firmly stated that it does not accept any deployment of Western troops on Ukrainian soil, viewing it as a violation of sovereignty.

This development comes amid ongoing violence in Ukraine, including a recent attack that resulted in casualties among mine clearance workers. Discussions continue regarding the terms of a ceasefire and the broader peace process, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressing the importance of securing immediate ceasefire conditions before engaging in further negotiations.