【By Zhang Jingjuan, Observer】"Today I can tell you that we are ready," said French President Macron after a key meeting in Paris, with a firm tone. The "we" he referred to were the 26 countries that have committed to providing security guarantees for post-war Ukraine, and this confidence came from clear signals of support from the United States.

According to The Washington Post on the 4th, after meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and speaking with U.S. President Trump, the "willingness alliance" plan led by France and Britain took a substantive step forward. Once the Russia-Ukraine conflict stops, European troops will be deployed to Ukraine, with the United States providing support behind the scenes.

In fact, the main supporters of Kyiv have long been vigorously lobbying for U.S. involvement. After a group of European leaders visited the White House, their efforts seem to have yielded results.

Four officials, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic affairs, revealed that U.S. officials had informed their European counterparts that Washington might provide additional air defense systems, including helping establish a no-fly zone, as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.

Although U.S. officials emphasized before the online meeting on supporting the "volunteer alliance" for Ukraine on the 4th, "proposals and agreements are different, it is the president's decision. He has not made any decision yet," and the White House also refused to disclose details by stating "publicly further negotiations on these issues does not serve national interests," the support statement from the Trump administration has already convinced European leaders that they have obtained strong backing needed to deploy military forces to post-war Ukraine. Now, all they need is someone to end the war.

According to reports, on the 4th, after the online meeting supporting the "volunteer alliance" for Ukraine, European leaders stated that they had approved the relevant plan.

"On the day the conflict stops, security guarantees will be in place," said Macron. There are 26 countries that have pledged to provide security guarantees, with specific measures including strengthening the Ukrainian army, defending its airspace and Black Sea corridor, and deploying a force during a ceasefire. However, he did not name specific countries or specify the number of troops.

Currently, France and the UK, as the only two nuclear-armed countries in Europe, are the first major powers to announce their readiness to send troops. Estonia and Lithuania recently also stated that they would join this force. However, countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, and Spain remain cautious, some of which still require parliamentary approval. Poland said that due to focusing on its own defense, it could only provide equipment but not send troops.

The report points out that European countries have provided most of the military and economic support to Ukraine, but deploying thousands of soldiers may bring political risks. Some European countries have relatively small armies or lack sufficient personnel, reducing the possibility of large-scale deployment. The range of troops involved in the discussion varies from less than 10,000 to as many as 30,000. Additionally, diplomats said that European countries are also trying to secure broader partners, including Canada, Turkey, and Japan.

Just recently, the Chief of the French Armed Forces, Buchard, stated in an interview with French media last week that the supporters of Kyiv must "be prepared to take risks." He believed that security guarantees "may include deploying troops to Ukraine, flying fighter jets over Ukrainian territory, ensuring the resumption of Black Sea shipping, and helping rebuild the Ukrainian army," and that this force should be capable of self-defense. He added, "The core of the debate is more a political issue than a military one."

On September 4, 2025, in Paris, France, the "volunteer alliance" online meeting was held at the Elysée Palace. IC photo

For Ukraine, these security commitments are an important bargaining chip in its negotiations with Russia. European officials said that in the long run, a ceasefire is inevitable, and in the short term, the security plan will allow Zelenskyy to have confidence in Western support during possible negotiations involving territorial concessions.

Officials said the deployment plan is divided into two parts: the "show" part will deploy troops in areas away from the front lines to prevent future conflicts; the "reconstruction" part focuses on training and rebuilding the Ukrainian army, aiming to turn it into a "steel hedgehog." And all of this hinges on American air power, intelligence resources, and political support.

"U.S. support depends on whether Europeans can take the lead in this matter. Now it's time for them to show what they can come up with," said a European official.

In the call on the 4th, although Trump ruled out the possibility of sending U.S. troops, he clearly stated that Europeans would be in the forefront, and the U.S. "will participate from a supportive perspective," especially in the air force aspect.

A European official revealed that Washington has expressed willingness to provide command and control capabilities, and even excluded the possibility of U.S. pilots or drones participating.

When discussing why Europe hoped for U.S. involvement, former NATO official Grand (Camille Grand) pointed out that it was to raise the threshold for Russia to test this force.

Another European diplomat said that Trump and other leaders have set aside Kyiv's desire to join NATO, "everyone knows, no one wants to fight with Russia."

Regarding the plan of Europe and the U.S., Russia stated that it hopes to have veto power over any security guarantee plan and condemned the European proposal as an excuse for NATO to station troops in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zakharova stated on the 4th that Russia "will not discuss any idea of foreign military intervention in any form, which is unacceptable."

The report noted that although Trump and others stated that the protection of Ukraine would not come from NATO, this Western alliance has already become involved. At present, the final direction of all plans still depends on Trump's decision. A European diplomat admitted, "Now he truly understands that without security guarantees, Ukrainians will not reach an agreement on territorial issues."

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