Over two dozen nations have committed to forming a force that will be deployed in Ukraine following a potential peace agreement with Russia, which aims to dissuade Moscow from launching future attacks against its neighbor, leaders announced on Thursday.

A “reassurance force” for Ukraine represents a significant component of the security assurances that a coalition, primarily consisting of European nations, intends to provide if the ongoing conflict concludes with a peace settlement or ceasefire.

Nonetheless, there is increasing apprehension regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s apparent reluctance to engage in peace negotiations, a concern that has intensified following his prominent visit to Beijing this week.

The level of U.S. participation in any prospective security measures remains ambiguous, despite European leaders discussing this matter with President Donald Trump through video conference after a summit in Paris with the so-called “coalition of the willing.”

The gathering, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, included remote participation from others, such as U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

This meeting was a new initiative led by Macron to demonstrate Europe’s capability to act autonomously from Washington, especially after Trump’s approach to foreign policy and his direct dialogues with Putin upon returning to the presidency.

Representing the U.S. was Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who also held separate discussions with Zelensky.

Europe has been under considerable pressure to enhance its response more than three and a half years after Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

“We currently have 26 nations that have officially committed — while others have yet to finalize their stance — to deploy a ‘reassurance force’ in Ukraine, whether on the ground, at sea, or in the air,” Macron stated to reporters alongside Zelensky.

Zelensky welcomed this development, saying, “I believe that today marks the first time in a long while that we are taking such a serious concrete step.”

According to the French president, the troops will not be placed “on the front line” but will be tasked with “preventing any new significant aggression.”

Macron also highlighted the need for a major initiative aimed at “regenerating” the Ukrainian military to ensure it not only withstands future attacks but also deters Russia from further aggression.

He indicated that the United States has been “very clear” about its readiness to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine, although the specifics of American involvement are still unclear.

Furthermore, there are internal divisions within the coalition, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz advocating for increased pressure while expressing caution regarding the extent of military involvement.

“A decision on Germany’s military engagement will be made at the appropriate time, once the preliminary conditions have been clarified,” stated a spokesman for the German government following the summit.

In a similar vein, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated that Italy would not deploy troops to Ukraine but could assist in monitoring any potential peace agreement, according to her office.

Prior to the Paris discussions, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow will reject the presence of foreign military forces in Ukraine “in any format.”

Frustration in the West has been mounting over leaders’ perceptions of Putin’s unwillingness to reach a settlement to end the conflict.

Zelensky noted that his conversation with Trump addressed sanctions against Russia and the safeguarding of Ukrainian airspace.

“We explored various options, with the emphasis on employing strong measures, particularly economic ones, to compel an end to the war,” Zelensky shared on social media.

The White House urged European nations to cease purchasing Russian oil, which serves to finance the conflict.

A Russian missile attack on northern Ukraine on Thursday resulted in the deaths of two members of the Danish Refugee Council who were engaged in mine-clearing operations in an area previously controlled by Russian forces, as reported by the local Ukrainian governor.

Macron cautioned that should Russia maintain its refusal to negotiate a peace settlement, “additional sanctions” would be imposed in cooperation with the United States.

He accused Russia of merely “attempting to buy time” while escalating attacks against civilians.

This meeting took place following Putin’s highly publicized visits to China and the U.S., where he engaged with Trump in Alaska last month.

While in Beijing, attending a large military parade alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping, Putin praised his army’s achievements in Ukraine, claiming that Russian forces were making progress “on all fronts.”