Paris Summit: Ukraine Reports Major Breakthrough in Security Negotiations

PARIS – President Zelenskyy’s newly appointed Chief of Staff, Kyrylo Budanov, has lauded the second day of the “Coalition of the Willing” summit as a success, citing “concrete results” that move Ukraine closer to a sustainable peace framework.

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The talks, which brought together leaders from France, the UK, and high-level envoys from the Trump administration, mark the most significant diplomatic progress since the conflict’s intensity peaked in late 2025.

The Shift to “Concrete” Deliverables

Under Budanov’s leadership, the Ukrainian delegation has pivoted toward technical military requirements rather than broad political promises. The results of the second day focus on three primary pillars:

• The “Deterrence Force”: Negotiations moved closer to finalizing a multinational security presence of up to 30,000 personnel. These troops are intended to act as a “tripwire” to ensure any future ceasefire is respected.
• American Endorsement: U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner signaled the White House’s readiness to support a U.S.-led monitoring mechanism, providing a level of oversight that European allies have long requested.
• Sustained Infrastructure: France and the UK committed to building permanent, protected maintenance and manufacturing hubs within Ukraine, ensuring the military remains self-sufficient regardless of shifting political tides.

Budanov’s New Role

The Paris summit serves as the international debut for General Budanov in his capacity as Chief of Staff. His transition from Military Intelligence (HUR) to the President’s Office has been interpreted by analysts as a signal that Ukraine is prioritizing “security-first” diplomacy.

“We are no longer discussing if security can be guaranteed, but how many boots will be on the ground and what the response triggers will be,” a senior Ukrainian official noted following the session.

Strategic Outlook

While the mood in Paris is optimistic, significant “red lines” remain. The Kremlin continues to view any Western troop presence—even in a non-combat, monitoring capacity—as a provocation. Furthermore, the exact geographic boundaries of a proposed ceasefire line are still being debated behind closed doors.

Key Stakeholder	Primary Contribution	Current Stance
United States	Technical oversight & political backing	Supporting a “peace through strength” model.
France	Immediate troop deployment	Ready to lead the European contingent.
United Kingdom	Long-term industrial military support	Focused on “fortifying” Ukrainian soil.
Ukraine	Operational intelligence & sovereignty	Demanding ironclad, written security guarantees.