West Forges “Iron Pact” for Ukraine, Backed by U.S. Ceasefire Watch
In a historic move signaling a unified Western front for a post-war future, the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine unveiled a landmark security pact in Paris on Tuesday, binding their nations to the long-term defense of Kyiv. The agreement, adopted by a broader “Coalition of the Willing,” commits to deploying a European-led multinational force to Ukrainian soil following a ceasefire, aimed at deterring future Russian aggression and rebuilding Ukraine’s military. Crucially, the framework is anchored by a pivotal U.S. commitment to lead a continuous ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, with a special commission to attribute breaches and enforce compliance, providing the teeth for any potential peace deal.
The declaration establishes a permanent coordination cell in Paris and cements binding security guarantees—promising immediate military, diplomatic, and economic support if Russia attacks again—that leaders insist are non-negotiable for any settlement. While the pact, announced jointly by President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, outlines a pathway to peace, it also starkly warns that Ukraine’s sovereign right to self-defense remains essential to Euro-Atlantic stability. The talks, attended by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner, underscore Washington’s lead role in enforcement, even as European powers prepare to station troops on the ground, framing the agreement as both a shield for Ukraine and a stern deterrent to Moscow.
