France pledged €2 billion in military aid to Ukraine as some 30 leaders met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Thursday to discuss strengthening Kyiv's position and what role they might play if a peace deal is struck with Russia.
It was the third summit of what France and Britain have called the "coalition of the willing", reflecting concern among Europeans that the US no longer represents a firm bulwark of support for Ukraine in its three-year-old fight against Russia.
Among those attending were the British, Polish and Italian prime ministers as well as the Nato secretary-general and Turkish vice-president.
The gathering was taking place after Zelensky agreed earlier this month to proceed with ceasefire talks to ensure a resumption of US aid and intelligence sharing.
US President Donald Trump, in office since January 20, has said he wants to broker a swift end to the war. But a series of bilateral talks between the US and the warring sides has yet to yield a significant change in hostilities.
Russia and Ukraine said on March 18 they agreed to cease strikes on each other's energy infrastructure but both sides have accused each other of flouting that limited truce.
"First and foremost (we will discuss) the immediate support for Ukraine. It must go on because it is necessary to continue the resistance," President Emmanuel Macron told reporters on Wednesday evening at a press conference with Zelensky.
Macron committed to a further €2 billion in French military support, including missiles, warplanes and air defence equipment. Zelensky said other partners could announce aid packages on Thursday.
The summit format aims to forge a role for Europe in any talks on ending the conflict. While the US is not present, French officials say the outcome of the gathering will be shared with the US administration.
Macron spoke with Trump ahead of the meeting, the French presidency said.
The discussions will focus on how to strengthen Ukraine militarily to deter future attacks, and how to monitor limited ceasefires over sea targets and energy infrastructure as discussed at US-led talks this week in Saudi Arabia.
Washington said on Tuesday it had signed separate agreements with Moscow and Kyiv for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, but Russia presented conditions. They included a demand that sanctions be lifted on Russian state agricultural lender Rosselkhozbank and that it be reconnected to the international payment system SWIFT.
The European Union, which ejected Rosselkhozbank from SWIFT, said on Wednesday it can be reinstated only when Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine.
European efforts, led by Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to create security arrangements for Ukraine are shifting from sending troops to considering alternatives as they face political and logistical constraints, and the prospect of Russia and the United States opposing their plans, officials said.
"The Prime Minister will underline that all must come together to support Ukraine to remain in the fight and back US efforts to make real progress despite continued Russian obfuscation," Starmer's office said in a statement.
Planning so far has looked at European military capabilities including aircraft, tanks, troops, intelligence and logistics. Discussions have centred on what European nations can contribute to support any future force, it said.
An outline document for Thursday's summit seen by Reuters refers to a possible future "reassurance force" that would have the support of the United States. - AFP
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