The pledge came at a summit in Paris of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, made up largely of European nations seeking to firm up security arrangements to reassure Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
Unlike previous coalition meetings, the Paris summit was attended by senior US representatives, including Steve Witkoff, a special envoy of President Donald Trump; Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law; and Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the top US military commander in Europe, the Reuters news agency reported.
Witkoff, who has been involved in talks with Russia, said after the summit that Trump "strongly stands behind security protocols" for Ukraine.
Speaking at a joint news conference with French, German, British and Ukrainian leaders, Witkoff said the measures were designed both to deter future attacks and to defend Ukraine if deterrence failed.
"They are meant to deter any further attacks in Ukraine," he said. "And if there are attacks, they are meant to defend. They will do both."
Kushner said any final agreement would need to ensure Ukraine’s long-term security.
"They have to know that after a deal they are secure, they have, obviously, a robust deterrence, and there's real backstops to make sure that this will not happen again," he said.
A statement by coalition leaders said allied countries would take part in a proposed US-led mechanism to monitor and verify any future ceasefire.
Diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year war have intensified in recent months. However, Moscow has yet to signal willingness to compromise.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after the Paris talks that sustained pressure on Russia, including additional sanctions if necessary, would be essential to achieving progress toward peace in Ukraine.
Moscow first invaded Ukraine in 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion in 2022.
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Source: Reuters, IAR, PAP
Click on the audio player above to hear a report by Marcin Matuszewski.