Macron says a proposed European force for Ukraine could 'respond' if attacked by Russia

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that a proposed European armed force for possible deployment in Ukraine in tandem with an eventual peace deal could “respond” to a Russian attack if Moscow launched one.

Macron spoke after talks with Ukraine’s president and ahead of a summit in Paris of some 30 nations on Thursday that will discuss the proposed force for Ukraine that Macron suggested could be deployed in “important towns” and elsewhere.

“If there was again a generalized aggression against Ukrainian soil, these armies would, in fact, be under attack and then it’s our usual framework of engagement,” Macron said. “Our soldiers, when they are engaged and deployed, are there to react and respond to the decisions of the commander in chief and, if they are in a conflict situation, to respond to it.”

Macron, together with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has been driving an effort to build a coalition of nations willing in one way or another to support the deployment of an armed force in Ukraine, with the aim of securing a lasting peace by dissuading Russia from attacking the country again.

Macron didn’t specify what sort of response he envisaged in the eventuality of a Russian attack.

He said the proposed European forces wouldn't be stationed on the frontlines in Ukraine, “nor be engaged on the first day opposite Russian forces.” They would “be forces that dissuade the Russians from attacking again. And by holding important towns, strategic bases, mark the clear support from several European governments and allies,” he said.

“So we are not on the frontlines, we don’t go to fight, but we are there to guarantee a lasting peace. It’s a pacifist approach,” he said. "The only ones who would, at that moment, trigger a conflict, a bellicose situation, would be the Russians if they decided again to launch an aggression.”

Macron is expecting 31 delegations around the table Thursday morning at the presidential Elysee Palace. That’s more than the French leader gathered for a first meeting in Paris in February — evidence that the coalition to help Ukraine, possibly with boots on the ground, is gathering steam, according to the presidential office.

The big elephant in the room will be the country that’s missing: the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has shown no public enthusiasm for the coalition’s discussions about potentially sending troops into Ukraine after an eventual ceasefire to help make peace stick. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has dismissed the idea of a European deployment or even the need for it.

“It’s a combination of a posture and a pose and a combination of also being simplistic,” he said in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

That’s not the view in Europe. The shared premise upon which the coalition is being built is that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine — starting with the illegal seizure of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and culminating in the 2022 full-scale invasion that unleashed all-out war — shows that he cannot be trusted and that a European force could help dissuade another attack.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Macron both suggest that a foreign contingent in Ukraine could also provide military training, something allies already have been doing outside Ukraine, preparing more than 75,000 Ukrainian troops for battle against Russia’s larger and expanding military and helping to make up for some of Ukraine's losses from more than three years of intense fighting.

“Primarily, any contingent consists of combat units, but they are above all intended to control the situation, monitor it, carry out joint training, and also to prevent any desire by Russia to return with renewed waves of aggression,” Zelenskyy said at Wednesday's news conference with Macron.

European officials say that in any peace-deal scenario, Ukraine’s first line of defense against any future Russian aggression would be Ukraine’s own army. The 27-nation European Union is pressing ahead with a so-called steel “porcupine strategy” aimed at making Ukraine an even tougher nut for Russia to crack, by strengthening its armed forces and defense industry. Britain is also pledging continued military aid so Ukraine can keep fighting if peace talks fail or a ceasefire is broken.

Macron announced a new package of defense aid for Ukraine that he said was worth 2 billion euros (US$ 2.15 billion) and will include light tanks, air defense and anti-tank missiles and other weaponry and support.

The basket of possible options that European military chiefs and planners have been looking at includes an array of scenarios they have been preparing for government leaders to consider and, ultimately, green light.

A possible option that France has been pushing would be a deployment by coalition members of a sizable force in central Ukraine, somewhere along the Dnieper River, away from frontlines, said a French official who spoke on condition of anonymity about the closed-door discussions.

The official said other possible options being examined are deploying a support force even further away from the fronts, in Ukraine’s far west, or in a neighboring country.

British officials have said a force could consist of between 10,000 and 30,000 troops — which would be a considerable effort for nations that shrank their militaries after the Cold War but are now rearming.

AP journalists Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jill Lawless and Emma Burrows in London and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report.

Officials participate to a so-called Coalition of the Willing summit at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

Officials participate to a so-called Coalition of the Willing summit at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer participate in the so-called Coalition of the Willing summit at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

Officials pose as part of the so-called "Coalition of the willing" summit at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, March 27, 2025 in Paris. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

Officials pose as part of the so-called "Coalition of the willing" summit at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, March 27, 2025 in Paris. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, greets Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during arrivals for a summit on Ukraine at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Thursday, March 27, 2025 . (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French President Emmanuel Macron, center, greets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during arrivals for a summit on Ukraine at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Thursday, March 27, 2025 . (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French President Emmanuel Macron, center, speaks with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer during arrivals for a summit on Ukraine at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Thursday, March 27, 2025 . (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer participate in the so-called "Coalition of the willing" summit at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participate in the so-called "Coalition of the willing" summit at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron leave a joint press conference following their bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool via AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron leave a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool via AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron give a press conference with following a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool via AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, andFrench President Emmanuel Macron arrive for a press conferencefollowing a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool via AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive for a joint press conference following a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron gives a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool via AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, gives a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron following a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron waits for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before their meeting to prepare Thursday's gathering of the so-called "coalition of the willing" nations that are allies of Ukraine, Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before their meeting to prepare Thursday's gathering of the so-called "coalition of the willing" nations that are allies of Ukraine, Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before their meeting to prepare Thursday's gathering of the so-called "coalition of the willing" nations that are allies of Ukraine, Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before their meeting to prepare Thursday's gathering of the so-called "coalition of the willing" nations that are allies of Ukraine, Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before their meeting to prepare Thursday's gathering of the so-called "coalition of the willing" nations that are allies of Ukraine, Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives before his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron to prepare Thursday's gathering of the so-called "coalition of the willing" nations that are allies of Ukraine, Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy before a meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka entered the Miami Open final against Jessica Pegula with 18 career titles on her elite resume.

The Miami Open crown had proved elusive until Saturday.

The No. 1 seed from Belarus knocked off fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 for her first Miami Open title in a rematch of the 2024 U.S. Open final.

Sabalenka fired up her lethal forehand in posting 24 winners on that wing to win the $1.1 million first prize. Sabalenka hit a backhand passing shot on match point after which she raised both hands to the air, looked up to the sky and blew a kiss.

“Thank God the rain stopped,” Sabalenka said during the trophy ceremony. “It was like Miami was crying that I won this tournament.’’

Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, had won the U.S. Open over Pegula, also in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5, but in 2025, Sabalenka’s finals luck had run out.

The 26-year-old power player has reached the finals of four of six events this year, though only copped one title, in Brisbane, before adding Miami. Sabalenka lost in the finals of the Australian Open and at Indian Wells — the event that preceded Miami.

Sabalenka, who now lives in Miami, brought the hand-blown crystal trophy to the interview room. “Finally I was able to play my best tennis in the finals,’’ Sabalenka said. “I’m super happy to hold this beautiful trophy. I feel like home here, even though I’m traveling every week, it still feels like home.’’

Sabalenka said she will spend the next two weeks in Miami, relaxing before the clay season.

“My team is so exhausted so today we will chill, but tomorrow I’m going to force them to have drinks drinks, burgers, pizza (and) have fun," Sabalenka said. "I think we should celebrate because we struggled after those tough finals, all kind of depressed. After this final, we have to celebrate to remember the moment.’’

During the trophy ceremony, Pegula said to Sabalenka: “You’re the best player in the world for a reason. You keep challenging everyone to get better. The level of tennis you’ve been able to play is amazing.’’

While Sabalenka is a recent South Florida resident, Pegula, a 31-year-old Buffalo native, had the crowd support. Pegula has lived in Boca Raton since she was 13 and is daughter of Terry Pegula, owner of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was in attendance as the league owners meetings takes place Monday in nearby Palm Beach. Her father was also on hand.

“It’s still cool to see this transform from a Dolphins-Bills game to a tennis stadium,’’ Pegula said.

Pegula said she saw Goodell, whom she had met before, before the match.

“He was with his daughter and family an hour before the match,’’ Pegula said. “I didn’t know he was coming. I saw him in the cafeteria. It was kind of funny.’’

Neither player could hold serve well in the first set. Sabalenka broke Pegula’s serve four times and won it 7-5, winning the last eight points of the set.

At 5-5, Sabalenka held serve at love for a 6-5 lead, then broke Pegula at love after hitting three straight winners — two at the net.

“She was able to hit the lines when she needed to, hit the big serve with the 1-2 punch when she needed to,’’ Pegula said.

Sabalenka leads the series vs. Pegula 7-2 and has won the last three meetings – all finals. Pegula sounded tired of losing to her.

“Now it feels like the last year Aryna has, especially on the hard courts, been kind of unstoppable virtually,’’ Pegula said. “I definitely like embracing that challenge, although I am getting a little annoyed with playing her.’’

Pegula smiled, adding “I don’t know if I would have won if I played someone else. But, man, I mean, it’s three titles.’’

The men’s doubles final, first on the card, was stopped by rain in the second set with No. 1 seed Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic leading No. 6 Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool 7-6, 3-2. 30-30.

Arevalo and Pavic closed out the championship quickly 7-6, 6-3, but the rain delay caused the 3 p.m. women’s final to begin more than one hour tardy.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Aryna Sabalenka hits a return to Jessica Pegula during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Jessica Pegula hits a return to Aryna Sabalenka during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka serves to Jessica Pegula during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Jessica Pegula, left, and Aryna Sabalenka hug at the end of the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka celebrates a point against Jessica Pegula during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka hits a return against Jessica Pegula during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka lifts the Butch Buchholz trophy after defeating Jessica Pegula during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka, right, holds Butch Buchholz winners trophy as Jessica Pegula holds the finalist trophy following the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka takes a selfie after winning the women's singles final match agains Jessica Pegula at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka gestures after missing a point against Jessica Pegula during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka lifts the Butch Buchholz trophy after defeating Jessica Pegula during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka kisses the Butch Buchholz trophy after defeating Jessica Pegula during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after defeating Jessica Pegula at the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after defeating Jessica Pegula during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Jessica Pegula hits a return to Aryna Sabalenka during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka hits a return to Jessica Pegula during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka hits a return to Jessica Pegula during the women's singles final match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)