Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France and Britain are spearheading efforts to deploy a "reassurance force" to Ukraine once hostilities with Russia come to an end, even without unanimous approval from all European allies.  

Speaking after a summit in Paris attended by over two dozen Ukraine-supporting nations, Macron stated that the initiative is a joint British-French proposal, welcomed by Ukraine. "It does not have unanimity today, but we do not need unanimity to do this," he said.  

A Franco-British delegation is set to visit Ukraine in the coming days to discuss the potential deployment and the future structure of the Ukrainian army. Macron clarified that the proposed force would not act as peacekeepers, engage in frontline operations, or replace the Ukrainian army but would serve as a deterrent against future Russian aggression.  

The president acknowledged that not all European allies would participate, citing a lack of capacity among some nations and political reluctance in others. Discussions will determine potential deployment locations for the force.  

The summit also saw Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreeing to jointly lead Europe’s "coalition of action for stable and durable peace." The delegation will further explore strategies to strengthen Ukraine’s military for the post-war period, ensuring it remains well-equipped for future security challenges.