Macron Announces 26 Nations Pledge Post-Conflict Ukraine Reassurance Force; US Backs Plan

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that 26 of Ukraine’s allies have committed to deploying troops as a “reassurance force” for the war-torn nation once the conflict with Russia concludes. Speaking after a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” in Paris, a group comprising 35 countries supporting Ukraine, Macron stated that these nations would maintain a presence on land, at sea, or in the air to guarantee Ukraine’s security following a ceasefire or peace agreement.

Earlier the same day, Macron and other European leaders met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss long-term military support. Zelenskyy also held a private discussion with Witkoff. Macron clarified that the reassurance force’s objective is not to wage war against Russia, but rather “to prevent any new major aggression and to involve the 26 states very clearly in the lasting security of Ukraine.”

Both Macron and Zelenskyy confirmed that Washington had expressed willingness to participate in the plan, though specific details of U.S. involvement are still being finalized. The initiative, led by Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, requires U.S. backing. European leaders also spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump, who emphasized economic pressure on Russia and China.

Amid these diplomatic efforts, Russia reportedly fired 112 drones at Ukraine overnight Thursday, with Ukrainian air defenses intercepting or jamming 84. Russia also announced the expulsion of an Estonian diplomat, a tit-for-tat response to a similar action by Estonia last month.

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