International

Zelenskyy: 'Strong Ukrainian army' is main security guarantee

A strong Ukrainian army is Ukraine's main security guarantee, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said following a Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris on September 4.

Speaking to French media in Paris, Mr Zelenskyy said South Korea's post-war economic model and powerful air defences could be a blueprint for Ukraine, if the US provides similar support to Kyiv as it did to Seoul.

In a message posted on X, Mr Zelenskyy noted that the more than 30 states that attended the meeting reaffirmed their solidarity with Ukraine and their resolve to build a long-term security framework.

“We discussed in detail each country's readiness to contribute to security on land, at sea, in the air, and in cyberspace. We coordinated our positions and reviewed elements of the security guarantees. I am grateful to everyone for understanding that the main security guarantee is a strong Ukrainian army. We share the same view that Russia is making every effort to stall the negotiation process and prolong the war. Support for Ukraine must be increased, and pressure on Russia must be intensified. Preparations are underway for the European Union's 19th sanctions package. Japan is also working on sanction measures,” the Ukrainian president said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said 26 countries are ready to send troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees when a peace deal is signed. He added that European leaders had also discussed increasing pressure on Russia with US President Donald Trump.

“We now have 26 countries that have officially committed, plus a few others still assessing their position, to deploy troops in Ukraine as a reassurance force or to have a presence on the ground, at sea, or in the air, to ensure security on Ukrainian territory after a ceasefire or the conclusion of peace,” said Mr Macron.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr Zelenskyy thanked his allies, making specific mention of the United States.

Thirty-five countries, including Romania, have joined the Coalition of the Willing, led by the UK and France, and have promised consolidated support for Ukraine against Russian aggression. The initiative, launched by the US in February, is designed to facilitate peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow by creating security guarantees for Ukraine to ensure a lasting ceasefire and peace deal. On 18 August, Mr Trump promised that Washington would stand with the Europeans as part of the security guarantees for Kyiv, which are expected to be put into practice after a ceasefire or peace agreement.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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