EU summit on Ukraine security kicks off in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting European leaders in Paris, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, France24 reported.

The summit will discuss strengthening Ukraine’s security ahead of a possible ceasefire with Russia.

Ahead of the summit, Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump. Council of Europe President Antonio Costa said on X that the best way to help Ukraine achieve a “just and lasting peace” was to maintain sanctions against Russia, noting that he would convey that message to EU leaders on March 27.

This is the third summit of the so-called “coalition of the willing,” initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which aims to discuss the provision of military assistance to Ukraine, as well as the role that Kiev’s allies should play in providing security guarantees to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, commenting on the start of the summit on his Telegram channel, noted: "Europe knows how to defend itself, we must prove it."