An articulated and advanced plan to provide Ukraine with security guarantees is underway, with the possibility of ‘boots on the ground’ also on the table. The coalition of willing nations reconvened in Paris on Thursday in a hybrid format, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in attendance. With the September 1st deadline from Donald Trump now passed without consequence and the EU’s position unchanged—asserting that Vladimir Putin continues to show no desire for peace—the meeting, presided over by Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, takes place in a tense context.
Ursula von der Leyen stirred the waters on Sunday by telling the Financial Times that there is a “rather precise plan” for Ukraine. Her comments were not well-received in all capitals, particularly Berlin. Following Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s hesitancy on deploying troops, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius pushed back sharply, stating von der Leyen “has no say on the matter of troops” and that the debate on security guarantees is “completely wrong.” However, von der Leyen’s remarks appear calculated. Well-informed sources in Brussels confirm that a technical plan for Kyiv exists and is already quite detailed, though the political decision ultimately rests with individual member states. Capitals like Rome have already reiterated their refusal to send boots on the ground. Despite this, the sense of urgency is mounting.
Simultaneously, an extraordinary NATO-Ukraine Council meeting was held at Kyiv’s request to assess “joint measures in response to Russia’s rejection of peace efforts,” according to Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.
Parallel to the coalition’s efforts, the EU is finalizing its roadmap on defense and support for Ukraine. These issues are linked, and the Commission’s plan includes using the European Peace Facility (EPF), broader use of frozen Russian assets, and the preparation of a nineteenth sanctions package. Von der Leyen told reporters that European measures against Russia are working, noting that Moscow continuously demands their revocation. She also announced an acceleration of common defense projects funded by the EPF, with 19 countries, including Italy, requesting its activation to develop a common defense framework and organize long-term military support for Ukraine. She expressed confidence in a first common project by year’s end or early next year and stated the Commission will present a roadmap for its defense plan, Readiness 2030, at an informal EU27 summit in early October.
Von der Leyen is navigating a delicate political landscape. The European Council itself requested this roadmap for October, pushed by the Danish presidency. Defense remains a divisive issue among the 27, but von der Leyen is seeking acceleration in the coming weeks, a message she will deliver to Permanent Representatives on Friday and highlight in her State of the Union address next week to what is anticipated to be a heated European Parliament.