European leaders will meet in Paris this Thursday, September 4, to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine , including the possibility of deploying multinational troops. According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the plans have been agreed with the White House and will have the support of the United States.
In an interview with the Financial Times, von der Leyen stressed that there was a "clear roadmap" for future security guarantees that was progressing "excellently." She stressed that the deployment of troops was a sovereign decision for each state, but that "the sense of urgency is very strong and the process is taking shape."
Von der Leyen made the announcement during a tour of eastern European countries bordering Russia, focusing on the need to increase defence spending and strengthen the EU's military readiness.
The comments come ahead of a meeting of European leaders this week to cement national commitments to join a common Western force, with the European Commission chief saying capitals are working on plans to “deploy a multinational force with US support.”
"President Trump assured us that the American presence would be part of the support," she stressed. "This has been confirmed many times," von der Leyen noted.
For its part, Kyiv is demanding concrete security guarantees from its allies, including a military presence on Ukrainian territory, as part of a future peace deal that would end the war started by the Kremlin three years ago.
The deal is expected to involve the deployment of tens of thousands of European troops, backed by U.S. command, control, intelligence and surveillance systems. The broad outlines of the agreement were reached last month at a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and several senior European politicians.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and von der Leyen herself are expected to join the discussion in Paris. The meeting is being held at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
Last week, defense ministers from the "coalition of the willing" met and, according to Ursula von der Leyen, "quite concrete plans" were developed. The discussions focused on key elements needed for an effective military build-up.
At the same time, she stressed that the decision to deploy troops remains the sovereign right of each state and requires political consent.
"However, the sense of urgency is very strong and the process is gradually taking on clear contours," the President of the European Commission stressed.
Von der Leyen also noted US President Donald Trump's willingness to join peace efforts after a period of uncertainty about his position. She recalled that Trump had previously made favorable comments about Vladimir Putin and had a tense relationship with Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Putin has not changed – he remains a predator. Trump strives for peace, while Putin refuses to sit at the negotiating table and increasingly does not fulfill his own promises," she said.
According to her, the last months have demonstrated that European partners can be relied upon: "We have repeatedly proven that if we promise something, we do it."
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