Allies Meet Without U.S. to Discuss Ukraine's Security Amid Trump's Moscow Ties

In a significant departure from usual diplomatic practice, more than thirty senior military commanders from key allies of Washington gathered privately in Paris without inviting their U.S. counterparts. The meeting underscored concerns about the unpredictability of U.S. President Donald Trump's foreign policy decisions and his warming relations with Moscow, prompting allied countries to contemplate taking on more substantial responsibilities regarding the Ukraine war.

The closed-door conference included army chiefs from NATO alliance states, European Union members, and important partners such as Japan and Australia. Recognizing the sensitive nature of their discussions, participants opted for a meeting format that notably did not involve the United States, marking an extremely rare, and possibly unprecedented, occurrence of such military cooperation among close allies without American involvement.

The purpose of the assembly was to explore strategic options and examine military capabilities that could effectively guarantee Ukraine's security in case of a negotiated ceasefire. Among the possibilities discussed was the deployment of potential European peacekeeping forces to support the stability and security of the Ukrainian state. Further, the military leaders deliberated on ways to ensure Kyiv maintains its military resilience and preparedness over the long term, emphasizing a proactive stance in the face of ongoing uncertainty surrounding the conflict.