In a significant move to reaffirm Europe’s role in Ukraine’s security, allied countries today formalised the role of France and Britain as “co-pilots” of a “coalition of the willing” to bolster Ukraine’s defence. It will provide “reassurance forces” in the case of a ceasefire with Russia, President Macron announced. This represents a huge post-Brexit shift where Britain, alongside France, is at the heart of European defence efforts.
The announcement came after a three-hour Paris summit attended by over 30 European leaders, including Keir Starmer and President Macron. While discussions were initially centred on Macron’s proposal for a potential European troop presence in Ukraine following a ceasefire, the UK and France have since jointly announced plans to send a “Franco-British team” to Kyiv within the next three weeks to assess Ukraine’s future security needs
These forces, Macron clarified, would not serve as peacekeepers or frontline combat troops but would focus on securing strategic locations and shaping Ukraine’s post-war military structure. “Our objective is clear – to win the peace,” Macon said. “We must put Ukraine in the best position to negotiate.”
A united European front
The summit also reinforced the growing European consensus on Ukraine’s security, particularly as the US under President Trump pursues its own direct negotiations with Russia. Macron framed the joint UK-France leadership as a demonstration of European unity and self-reliance, asserting that Europe must be prepared to ensure its own security without depending on the US.
“We should hope for the best and prepare for the worst,” Macron stated, hinting that a European-led security force in Ukraine might proceed even if Washington does not provide formal backing. It would be a “historic moment” in which the Europeans struck out alone in their defence, he said. “The minority partners would become the majority”. This would indeed mark a historical shift in the balance of global security, with Europe taking an unprecedented lead in military coordination outside NATO’s framework.
Starmer echoed this sentiment, highlighting the urgency of securing Ukraine’s future and ensuring that any peace agreement remains enforceable. “We will be ready to operationalise a peace deal whenever its precise shape turns out to be and we will work together to ensure Ukraine’s security so it can defend and deter against the future,” he said at a post-summit press conference in Paris.
Increasing pressure on Russia
While discussions continue on structuring the proposed reassurance force, European leaders remain firm on maintaining sanctions against Russia. Despite Trump’s negotiations with Moscow, there was a unanimous decision at the summit that any premature easing of sanctions would be a strategic mistake. European Council President António Costa underscored this point, saying that continued economic pressure was essential to Ukraine’s long-term security.
Additionally, the European Union announced its commitment to immediate support for Ukraine, including providing two million rounds of ammunition. This is seen as a move to counterbalance recent concerns over divisions within the EU on defence spending and Ukraine aid. An EU official present at the summit noted that the display of European unity was meant to send a clear message to Washington: NATO’s European members are capable of organising their own defence and supporting Ukraine independently.
The road ahead
Despite the strong statements from European leaders, significant challenges remain. Russia has dismissed the European-led security plans as an attempt to disguise direct military intervention. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticised the initiative, warning that any deployment of Western forces in Ukraine would be seen as a provocation.
At the same time, Macron and Starmer have been careful to present their efforts as complementary to, rather than in opposition to, the ongoing ceasefire talks led by the US. But Macron didn’t shy away from criticising the negotiations, pointing out that Russia has so far only responded with vague and contradictory statements.
“It’s difficult to say that there are peace negotiations going on when these parallel talks have produced three different communiqués which say three different things,” Macron said. “Ukraine had the courage to accept a 30-day ceasefire without conditions” he added. In return, Russia had demanded “new conditions for partial and theoretical ceasefires while hitting (Ukraine) harder and harder.”
Starmer who attended trilateral talks with Macron and President Zelenskyy ahead of the summit, praised the Ukrainian leader. “Zelenskyy has demonstrated his commitment repeatedly and Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future.”
Zelenskyy welcomed Europe’s proactive stance. He referenced Moscow’s violation of a commitment not to strike Ukrainian energy targets. “I think there should be a reaction from the US,” Zelenskyy said. Energy facilities had been damaged in a strike on Thursday and that it was “unclear who is monitoring” the pledges to halt such strikes.
A post-Brexit realignment
For the UK, this initiative marks a notable return to European defence leadership, aligning closely with France at a time when Brexit had distanced Britain from European policymaking. The decision to lead a “coalition of the willing” to bolster Ukraine’s defence is a clear indication that, despite leaving the EU, the UK remains deeply integrated in European security affairs.
The Paris summit also highlighted a broader European recalibration – one where the UK and France are at the centre of military and diplomatic decision-making in response to global security threats. With other European nations expressing interest in contributing forces “on land, sea and air,” the continent appears poised to take greater responsibility for its security, even as questions remain about US involvement.
Starmer’s decision for the UK to join France in spearheading Ukraine’s security marks a defining moment in European defence policy. At a time when transatlantic relations face uncertainty, this joint leadership signals that Europe is ready to stand on its own to protect its interests. While much remains to be decided about the structure and mandate of the proposed reassurance force, one thing is clear: Britain, far from being sidelined post-Brexit, is once again playing a crucial role at the heart of European security.
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