Media reveal security guarantees of Coalition of the Willing prepared for Ukraine
The Coalition of the Willing, which is holding a meeting in Paris on 6 January, has prepared a draft declaration calling for the United States to commit to supporting the coalition's European forces if Ukraine comes under attack.
As reported by Radio Liberty, which has seen the document, a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing involving 27 countries is taking place in the French capital on Tuesday 6 January.
Under the draft declaration, once a ceasefire in Ukraine comes into force, a system of guarantees is to be launched with five components:
- participation in a US-led mechanism to monitor and verify the ceasefire
- support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
- multinational forces for Ukraine
- commitments in the event of a future attack
- commitments to deepen defence cooperation with Ukraine.
The ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism is to operate under US leadership with international participation, including contributions from the Coalition of the Willing.
The draft also envisages setting up a special commission to examine violations and determine response measures.
In terms of support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the document refers to:
- funding for arms procurement
- support for the defence budget
- access to defence stockpiles for rapid reinforcement in the event of a threat
- help to build defensive fortifications.
The Coalition of the Willing is to be responsible for forming multinational forces for Ukraine. They are to be created "to support the restoration of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and strengthen deterrence".
The draft says that these forces would operate at Ukraine's request after credible cessation of hostilities and would have European leadership, "with the involvement of non-European coalition members and with US participation, including the use of US intelligence and logistics capabilities and with a US commitment to support these forces in the event of an attack".
On actions in the event of a renewed Russian attack, the document says there is no final agreement yet.
"We have agreed to finalise binding commitments that will define our approach to supporting Ukraine and restoring peace and security in the event of a future armed attack by Russia," the document reads.
Such commitments could include the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistics support, diplomatic initiatives and additional sanctions.
On defence cooperation, it refers to training, joint weapons production and intelligence cooperation.
The US announced that adviser to President Donald Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would travel to France for the meeting. In addition, the event is attended by the American leader's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is also part of the negotiating group within the peace process.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is in Paris on a visit, has already met his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.