ContentsWhat is the coalition of the willingWho is taking partWhat will be discussedExpert assessments and expectationsAfter weeks of technical consultations among the military of the coalition countries, European leaders will review detailed plans to ensure a cease-fire in Ukraine if peace is achieved. The meeting, held in hybrid format at the Élysée Palace, is meant to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and coordinate allied actions.But what should we expect from today’s summit? Espreso explains.What is the coalition of the willingThe coalition of the willing is an informal group of countries supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. The initiative emerged earlier this year, when European nations, led by France and the United Kingdom, decided to step up efforts to guarantee Ukraine’s security amid the unpredictable policies of Donald Trump.The coalition includes mainly NATO countries such as France, the UK, Poland, the Baltic states, Denmark, and the Netherlands, as well as partners outside the alliance, including Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand.Its main goal is to design and implement security guarantees for Ukraine that would prevent future Russian aggression after a potential cessation of hostilities. One of the key ideas, proposed last year by French President Emmanuel Macron, is the deployment of a multinational military contingent in Ukraine to enforce any peace agreements. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also signaled readiness to send British troops to support such a mission, possibly backed by aviation and intelligence.Who is taking partToday’s meeting is led by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also attend in person, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to join online, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte may also take part, along with other coalition members. U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff arrived in Paris ahead of the summit, and a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled for later in the day.The summit begins at 11:30 a.m. Kyiv time, the call with Trump is set for 3 p.m., and the closing press conference is planned for 4 p.m.What will be discussedThe Paris summit has several main objectives: to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and to coordinate allied efforts.First, leaders will focus on creating a concrete security architecture that includes long-term commitments by coalition countries. According to Reuters, today’s talks are expected to finalize the outlines of such guarantees in the event of a cease-fire with Russia.They will discuss the final parameters of a possible multinational presence: deterrence forces, options for airspace control, intelligence, cyberspace, and rebuilding Ukraine’s defense sector. Specific talks are also expected on strengthening the Ukrainian army with European funding, since Ukraine’s Armed Forces will remain the backbone of its security, while any European deployment would serve as an additional deterrent.According to The Washington Post, Trump’s administration’s proposals on air power and intelligence finally gave European leaders the strong backing they needed to consider sending military forces into postwar Ukraine. “Now, they just need someone to stop the war,” the outlet noted.Still, these security guarantees would only take effect once peace is achieved — which looks unlikely given Vladimir Putin’s current stance.As Bloomberg reports, Europeans will try to persuade Trump to impose the promised “devastating sanctions” on Russia.“The French want the gathering to convey a message that Europe has done its part to support Ukraine and it’s up to the US president to deliver on his threat to increase pressure on the Kremlin,” the outlet wrote.Recently, Macron said in an interview that “We are ready, us Europeans, to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.” According to European officials cited by Reuters, one of the main goals of today’s summit is to send a political signal to Trump.Expert assessments and expectationsAnalysts stress the importance of the summit but remain cautiously optimistic about its outcomes. The meeting will not end the war but could create a chance for lasting peace after a cease-fire — provided all sides honor their commitments.The U.S. Institute for Responsible Statecraft warns it’s too early to discuss concrete military deployments before a political mission is clearly defined. Without a firm legal framework and control of the skies, such an operation would lack deterrent power.As AP notes, without a clear U.S. role it will be difficult to provide deterrence, intelligence, and air cover. It would also be too risky for Europeans to send troops into Ukraine before a cease-fire and legal mandate are in place.“Former military generals and experts suggest Europe is in a bind — not knowing the level of support the U.S. is prepared to provide the coalition, the nature of any ceasefire or if the U.S. will abide by commitments made. It’s also far from certain that Putin would agree to a cessation of hostilities, something Russian officials have invariably dismissed,” the outlet reported.François Heisbourg, special adviser at the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris, said the chances of deploying European troops in Ukraine before a cease-fire are zero. Even if a truce or peace deal were reached, he doubts it would be enough to deter Putin.“The Western appetite to potentially shoot down Russian missiles violating a ceasefire or target launchers firing them from within Russia is'close to zero.' Any response to a ceasefire violation, he said, would likely depend on 'how many Western soldiers the Russians would have actually killed...and nobody wants to think about that too much in advance,'”  the outlet quoted Heisbourg as saying.Another challenge is troop numbers. Europe lacks a large land army, having shifted defense budgets toward economic growth after the Cold War."But there would be 'zero credibility' if Western troops were put in various Ukrainian towns without a clear mission or purpose, the outlet qouted Ben Hodges, former commanding general of the U.S. Army in Europe. “That will not impress the Russians at all,” he said.According to the Atlantic Council, Moscow shows no signs of readiness for real peace. Without systemic pressure — including energy sanctions — and long-term support for Ukraine’s defense, any cease-fire would be shaky, leaving Europe vulnerable to being drawn into war with Russia.Der Spiegel recently reported that the German government wants to avoid committing the Bundeswehr.“If Berlin now plans to send only money instead of troops, the international damage to its reputation will be enormous,” the outlet quoted European diplomats as saying.Poland, too, has said it is not ready to send troops. The Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita warned that the future of security guarantees for Ukraine is “hanging by a thread.”Similarly, the Financial Times wrote that the question of deploying troops has split Europe. According to its sources, the coalition can be roughly divided into three groups: those ready to send forces (the UK, France); those firmly against it (Italy, Poland); and the largest group still undecided but willing to provide weapons and money (Germany).In any case, even if a final agreement is announced, all guarantees could collapse if Donald Trump refuses U.S. participation. That’s why today’s meeting and conversation with the American president are crucial to understanding what real security the West can offer Ukraine.But that’s only half the story. The deeper problem remains Putin’s determination to win — and signs that he may be preparing for another offensive push in Donbas.