Macron, Starmer, and Zelensky sign declaration on deployment of troops to Ukraine
In a strategic move aimed at shaping the post-war security landscape of Eastern Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a joint declaration of intent on Tuesday concerning the deployment of a multinational force in Ukraine. This declaration is part of future security arrangements that will take effect following a ceasefire agreement, a scenario that Western powers are actively preparing for despite the ongoing fighting.
Details of the proposed force and security guarantees
Following the meeting hosted by Paris to unify the front against Moscow, French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that the goal of this force is "to provide a form of reassurance and stability in the days following the ceasefire." This move represents a significant shift in Western support for Kyiv, moving from simply arming the Ukrainian army to a physical presence to ensure that aggression does not resume.
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the documents prepared regarding security guarantees, describing them as "concrete substance" that goes beyond mere verbal promises. "What's important is that the coalition now has fundamental documents that go beyond words, reflecting a commitment to working towards real and lasting security for Ukraine," Zelenskyy said at a press conference.
Advances in security protocols and the challenge of borders
On the American side, US envoy Steve Wittkopf revealed, following talks in Paris, that Kyiv's allies had largely finalized the post-war security protocols. Wittkopf stated, "We believe we have largely completed the security protocols, which are essential so that the Ukrainian people know this war is over for good.".
However, the US envoy indicated that border and territory issues would be "the most problematic and sensitive areas" in the upcoming negotiations, expressing hope for realistic compromises on this matter, hinting at the complexities of the upcoming negotiating landscape with Russia.
The context of the conflict and the shift in Western strategy
This announcement comes nearly four years after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at a time when the West is seeking to formulate an exit strategy that guarantees Ukraine's sovereignty without being drawn into an open-ended war. The talk of a "multinational force" represents a radical shift from previous policies that were wary of any direct Western military presence, fearing escalation with Moscow. However, the protracted nature of the war and the need for solid security guarantees to encourage Ukraine to engage in ceasefire negotiations have led the allies to adopt bolder options.
Strategic importance and impact of advertising
This declaration carries profound strategic implications at both the regional and international levels. Regionally, it sends a reassuring message to Ukraine that the West will not abandon Kyiv once the fighting stops, and that there is a material and military commitment to protecting the fragile peace that is expected. Internationally, it serves as a deterrent to Moscow, indicating that any future attempt to violate the ceasefire will be met with a coordinated international response, not just local resistance.
This agreement also paves the way for arduous political negotiations on border demarcation and the fate of the occupied territories, where strong security guarantees are a prerequisite for any flexibility that Kyiv might show on thorny geographical issues.
