Dozens of leaders talk to Zelenski on Thursday about security guarantees for Ukraine. Nicușor Dan also participates in the summit “Coalition of will”

About 30 leaders will carry out discussions with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski on Thursday on future security guarantees for Kiev in the event of a peace with Russia, hoping that they have made enough to convince the United States to support their efforts, reports Reuters.

The summit, both physically and virtually, of the “will coalition” brings together leaders from Europe, but also from Turkey, Australia and Canada. The Romanian President Nicușor Dan also participates, through video conference, starting at 11.30, according to Cotroceni.

Countries have had discussions for months at different levels to define their military contributions to Ukraine, in order to discourage Russia to attack it again after a definitive armistice will be reached.

Macron: We, Europeans, we are prepared

But these efforts have recently stagnated, because governments said that any European military role would need security guarantees as a safety measure. President Donald Trump has not explicitly committed to offer them.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday, along with Zelenski, in Paris that the leaders of the coalition will approve the plans for security guarantees elaborated by their armies on Thursday.

Two European officials said that detailed “technical” plans have been completed, without going into details on what this actually means.

“We, Europeans, are ready to offer security guarantees,” Macron said. “This allows us to say strongly that we are prepared for a solid peace for Ukraine and Europeans, but the question now is to see the sincerity of Russia,” he added.

Rutte said they are waiting for clarifications to what can be done

The two European officials who spoke to Reuters said the purpose would be to send a political signal to Trump. This would highlight the lack of progress for direct peace negotiations between Russian Vladimir Putin and Zelenski after the Trump-Putin summit and would urge Trump to exert Moscow.

The heads of the British and French army, who had detailed meetings last week with their counterparts in the will of the will, were to inform their leaders on Thursday, according to a note sent to the participants, seen by Reuters.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday to expect clarification soon about what could be achieved.

“This means that we can get even more intense, including the American side, to see what they want to do in terms of participating in security guarantees,” Ruts told reporters in a press conference.

A key item is the international force for security guarantees

Putin said Kiev on Wednesday that there is a chance to end the Ukraine war by negotiations “if good sense prevails”, an option he said he prefers, but that he is ready to end the war by force if this is the only way.

Western officials say that the most important element of the guarantees will be the continuation of the strong support given to the Ukrainian armed forces. But they expect guarantees to include an international force to assist and reassure Kiev in both Ukraine and neighboring countries.

A French official who discussed with the press reporters has refused to say which countries are ready to contribute to Ukraine's security guarantees, including the force needed for them.

European leaders have clarified that such a force will only be feasible with the support of US – something Trump promised last month in general terms. But Washington has not yet stated what he is willing to contribute.

“A peace that remains illusory”

Special US messenger Steve Witkoff is going to arrive in Paris on Thursday, two diplomatic sources said. Some leaders will call Trump after the summit, the French presidency said.

John Foreman, a British military attached to Kiev and Moscow, said it is important for leaders to understand exactly what is offered, especially Zelenski, who evaluates his country's position before any direct discussions with Russia.

“However, it is increasingly aware that peace will require a strong Ukraine and army, that European support will have to be long lasting and that Ukraine may not be based on its allies to help and punish Russia in the event of a new attack,” he said.

“All these are preparations for a peace that remains illusory and distant because of Trump's incoherent diplomacy and lack of substantial discussions,” added John Foreman.