A gathering of over 30 world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, is set to take place in Paris this week to discuss a potential ceasefire and reconstruction plan for Ukraine. The focus of the meeting will be on establishing postwar security guarantees to prevent Russia from resuming its aggression towards Eastern European nations.
French President Emmanuel Macron has invited the leaders to convene on Tuesday, following a preliminary meeting of defense chiefs from coalition countries on Monday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently met with 18 national security and defense advisers from coalition nations in Kyiv to discuss collective security guarantees.
During these discussions, the issue of security assurances, particularly in relation to the peace efforts led by the U.S. and President Donald Trump, will be a key agenda item. Zelenskyy expressed optimism that finalized security guarantees would emerge from the Paris meeting, where he also anticipates engaging with President Trump’s team.
Emphasizing the urgency of robust security guarantees in the face of ongoing Russian aggression, Zelenskyy highlighted the need for a credible deterrent against further destabilization tactics by Russia. The coalition of nations supporting Ukraine, including Canada, has been instrumental in providing military support and addressing European concerns about the immediate threat posed by Russia.
The possibility of Ukraine joining NATO may be reconsidered with the provision of concrete security assurances from Europe and Canada. While Trump has proposed strong security guarantees with a 15-year timeline, Zelenskyy advocates for a longer-term commitment. However, skepticism remains regarding the consistency of the U.S. position on Ukraine under the Trump administration.
Efforts are underway to prepare Ukraine for potential peace negotiations, but uncertainties persist regarding Russia’s willingness to compromise. Despite indicating a willingness to engage with a U.S.-led peace framework, Russia’s demands, including significant Ukrainian concessions and limitations on military presence, present obstacles to a peaceful resolution.