After consultations with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Coalition of the Willing confirmed its readiness to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, including the deployment of a multinational military contingent on Ukrainian territory.

Earlier in the year, plans were floated for a 30,000-strong force, but without US participation, European governments were reluctant to commit. As recently as this week, The Times reported the plan was effectively off the table, replaced by scaled-back measures such as air patrols, training Ukrainian forces, and demining the Black Sea.

US role transforms the scenario

That changed when Donald Trump reportedly agreed to offer Ukraine an Article 5-style security guarantee. Unlike NATO membership, this would not make Ukraine part of the alliance but would still provide a collective-defense commitment resembling NATO’s core clause.

US envoy Steve Witkoff called it “game-changing”, noting that Vladimir Putin had, for the first time, agreed to such protections during talks in Alaska.

The official statement from Macron and Starmer, released by Downing Street, underlined the coalition’s new confidence:

“The leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine, praised Zelenskyy’s push for peace, and welcomed Trump’s security guarantees—saying the Coalition of the Willing will play a vital role through the Multinational Force Ukraine.”

Leaders react

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated:

“Our support for Ukraine is unwavering—international borders must not be changed by force.”

French President Emmanuel Macron warned:

“If we are weak with Russia, we are preparing for tomorrow’s conflicts.”

What comes next

With US backing secured, the coalition now signals readiness to deploy a peacekeeping and reassurance force once fighting ends, while also securing Ukraine’s skies and seas and helping to rebuild its armed forces. UK Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed that British troops are prepared to take part.

European leaders—including Starmer and Macron—will now travel to Washington DC for talks with Trump and Zelenskyy, aiming to finalize the guarantees and shape the coalition’s role.