France has emerged as a leading European voice in developing security guarantees for Ukraine, with President Emmanuel Macron hosting military chiefs from over 30 countries in Paris to discuss establishing an international security force.12 Macron outlined four key elements of these guarantees: immediate support through equipment supply, creating a format for Ukraine's future army, possible deployment of a "coalition of the willing" in Ukraine, and strengthening European defense capabilities.3 This initiative comes as the United States under President Trump has reduced its support for Ukraine, creating an opportunity for Europe to redefine transatlantic security responsibilities.

The French-led effort reflects a broader shift in European security thinking, with Macron emphasizing that "Europe must throw its full weight behind Ukraine, and itself."2 Military officials agreed that any security guarantees should align with NATO capabilities while providing credible deterrence against future Russian aggression.24 This approach represents a significant evolution from the failed Budapest Memorandum of 1994, with European leaders now recognizing that effective guarantees must include the possibility of foreign military presence in Ukraine to create meaningful deterrence.4 France has already demonstrated its commitment by sharing intelligence with Ukraine after the US suspended its own intelligence sharing, with Defense Minister Lecornu calling the American decision "morally reprehensible."5

The NATO Defense Ministers meeting in June 2024 served as a critical preparatory session for the Washington Summit, focusing on strengthening support for Ukraine and enhancing Alliance defense capabilities. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg outlined key priorities including the development of NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), designed to coordinate military equipment provision and training by Allies and partners.12 This initiative aims to place security assistance on an enduring footing while supporting Ukraine's defense transformation and further integration with NATO, without making the Alliance a party to the conflict under international law.1

Ministers approved plans for NATO to lead coordination of security assistance and training as "a key element for our package for Ukraine at the Washington Summit," alongside a long-term financial commitment.2 This culminated in the Washington Summit's pledge to provide a minimum baseline funding of €40 billion within the next year through proportional contributions from Allies.1 The ministerial meeting also addressed measures to strengthen NATO's deterrence and defense, including progress on a new Defense Industrial Pledge to scale up military production, decisions on capabilities for NATO's defense plans, and discussions on Russia's campaign of hostile acts across NATO countries.2 These preparations reflected NATO's commitment to "bolster support to Ukraine, strengthen defenses, and send a strong message of deterrence to adversaries" ahead of the historic 75th Anniversary Summit in Washington.32

The Indo-Pacific region has become a central focus of U.S. defense strategy, with significant investments being made to strengthen alliances and partnerships as a counterweight to China's growing influence. The Department of Defense has prioritized the People's Republic of China as its "pacing challenge," allocating $9.9 billion in the FY 2025 Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) for targeted investments in force posture, infrastructure, and regional capabilities1. These efforts include modernizing traditional alliances with Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Australia while developing new security partnerships with countries like India, Indonesia, and Vietnam23.

France has also emerged as a significant Indo-Pacific security player, developing strategic partnerships with India, Australia, Japan, and several Southeast Asian nations4. NATO is similarly expanding its engagement with Indo-Pacific partners, launching flagship projects in areas like cyber defense, countering disinformation, and artificial intelligence with Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand5. This growing web of security arrangements reflects the region's strategic importance amid rising tensions in the South and East China Seas, the Korean Peninsula, and across the Taiwan Strait6. Multilateral initiatives like the Quad (U.S., Japan, India, Australia) and AUKUS (Australia, UK, U.S.) complement bilateral defense agreements to create a more resilient security architecture aimed at maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific73.