Macron: 26 countries prepared to deploy troops to secure Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron said 26 countries are prepared to deploy troops to secure a ceasefire or peace in Ukraine in a statement following consultations of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris on Thursday.

The 26 countries have formally committed to stationing support troops in Ukraine or being present on land, at sea or in the air to strengthen Ukraine after the end of the war and to secure peace, Macron said.

Other countries are still considering whether to participate, he added.

“This force neither has the will nor the aim to wage wars against Russia, but is intended to secure peace and send a clear strategic signal,” Macron said.

“It will be deployed as part of a ceasefire, not on the front line, but in areas currently being determined, and it is meant to prevent any new major aggression and clearly involve the 26 states in the permanent security of Ukraine.”

After the consultations ended, the attendees agreed to begin the political and legal work to implement these security guarantees, according to Macron.