The meeting in Paris is to focus on how EU countries can contribute to a "solid, lasting and verifiable peace" in Ukraine.
Once peace has been signed, we must prepare Ukraine so that the country is not invaded by Russia again. This will undoubtedly involve long-term support for the Ukrainian army, says Macron in a speech on Wednesday evening.
Must be ready
He says that such support could involve sending European forces to Ukraine.
These forces would not go out and fight today, they would not go out and fight on the front line, but they would be there once peace has been signed to ensure that it is fully respected.
The President further states that he "wants to believe that the USA will stand by our side", but that "we must be ready if that is not the case".
Regardless of whether peace in Ukraine is achieved quickly or not, the European states, given the Russian threat, must be able to defend themselves better and deter new aggressions, says Macron.
Common strategy
He reiterates his earlier promise to be ready to discuss a common European nuclear strategy.
In response to the historic appeal from the future German Chancellor (Friedrich Merz), I have decided to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent through our nuclear deterrence.
It is only France and the UK that have their own nuclear weapons among the European countries. The majority of Europe's deployed nuclear weapons are provided by the USA.
