In a landmark move for European security, British and French troops are set to be deployed to Ukraine as part of a multinational force designed to protect a future peace agreement and deter further Russian aggression.
Historic Security Pact Signed in Paris
The significant development followed a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing countries in Paris on 6 January 2026, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in signing a joint declaration that commits to placing boots on the ground following a ceasefire.
The blueprint, described as a major step forward, outlines a framework where the UK and France would participate in a US-led ceasefire monitoring mission. Beyond immediate peacekeeping, the allied nations have also pledged long-term support for the Ukrainian army and vowed to back Kyiv in the event of any future Russian attack.
Questions Over US Commitment Amid Global Moves
This pact represents a crucial development for Kyiv and its European allies, coming after persistent struggles to secure concrete security guarantees from the administration of US President Donald Trump. The announcement was preceded by talks at the Élysée Palace between President Macron and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
However, the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine is now under scrutiny. Serious questions have been raised following President Trump's recent military intervention in Venezuela and the seizure of that country's leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who now faces drugs and weapons charges in New York.
A New Chapter in European Defence
The proposed multinational force marks a decisive shift in the West's strategy towards the conflict in Ukraine, moving from supplying weaponry and training to a direct, albeit post-ceasefire, military presence aimed at enforcement and deterrence. The core objective is to create a robust security framework that would discourage Russian President Vladimir Putin from launching any further aggression against Ukrainian territory once hostilities have formally ceased.
While the plan hinges on a peace deal first being reached, the commitment signals a readiness from key European powers to underpin any diplomatic solution with tangible military assurance, potentially reshaping the security architecture of Eastern Europe for years to come.
