European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s military on Thursday, emphasizing that a strong Ukrainian army is essential to the country's long-term security. Meanwhile, France and Britain continued efforts to rally support for a proposed foreign “reassurance force” that could be deployed in the event of a truce with Russia.

The summit—marking the third gathering of the so-called “coalition of the willing”—underscored growing European concerns over waning U.S. support for Ukraine’s three-year resistance against Russia’s invasion. However, defining Europe’s role in Ukraine’s post-war security remains a challenge, with discussions hinging on Russia’s stance and the extent of future U.S. backing.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stressed the importance of expanding Kyiv’s armed forces with increased funding, viewing a robust military as Ukraine’s primary security guarantee. A Franco-British military delegation is set to visit Ukraine to assess its long-term defense needs, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen suggesting that a Ukrainian army of 500,000 to 1 million soldiers should serve as the nation’s first line of defense in any future peace arrangement.

Following over four hours of talks with nearly 30 leaders, Zelenskiy expressed optimism about the commitments made, both for the present and the post-war period. “The strength and size of the Ukrainian army will always be our fundamental security guarantee,” he stated, emphasizing the need to enhance military equipment, technology, and efficiency.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, who co-hosted the summit, stressed the necessity of reinforcing Ukraine’s position in any potential peace negotiations. However, aside from France’s announcement of €2 billion ($2.2 billion) in new aid, including warplanes and missiles, no significant new pledges were made.

Debate Over European Troop Deployment

With pressure mounting from U.S. President Donald Trump for Europe to take greater responsibility for its security, France and Britain have been spearheading discussions on a future land, air, and sea “reassurance force” aimed at deterring future Russian aggression. While the possibility of stationing troops in Ukraine remains unlikely, reinforcing NATO’s presence in neighboring countries is being considered.

Despite the lack of unanimous agreement on troop deployment, Macron insisted that progress is being made, asserting that Europe should proceed with plans regardless of U.S. involvement. He noted that while some countries are open to sending personnel, others prefer to contribute air and naval assets, while a number remain opposed to any involvement.

“There was no unanimous agreement today—as we expected—but unanimity isn’t necessary,” Macron said. He added that British and French delegations would continue working to determine Ukraine’s specific needs, including potential deployment zones for reassurance forces.

Zelenskiy acknowledged that discussions on troop placement were still in early stages. “There are many questions about the composition and positioning of this contingent,” he noted. “For now, we have few concrete answers.”

European Concerns and U.S. Absence

While some European leaders see a military presence as crucial for deterring further Russian aggression, many remain wary of committing troops without a U.S. security guarantee. Several governments cite concerns over financial burdens, manpower shortages, and the risk of direct military confrontation with Russia.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala downplayed the urgency of the troop deployment debate, stating that any such decision should come with U.S. assurances. Similarly, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged that Washington be included in future talks.

Although the U.S. was absent from the summit, Macron vowed to relay the discussions to Trump. “We must accelerate efforts to finance Ukraine, deliver weapons, and outline both the structure of Ukraine’s military and the reassurance force,” he stated.

There was widespread agreement, however, that sanctions on Russia should not be eased prematurely. Moscow has linked the lifting of certain sanctions to its willingness to negotiate a Black Sea ceasefire, but European leaders remain firm in maintaining economic pressure on the Kremlin.