European national security advisers met in Kyiv to review peace proposals and coordinate security guarantees ahead of a leaders' summit in Paris. Discussions centered on a multilateral security framework that would keep Ukrainian forces as the first line of defense alongside European-led troop deployments and U.S. backstop support. International partners have reportedly agreed on an $800 billion economic package over 10 years, including a $200 billion growth component tied to EU accession reforms. Recent Russian attacks raised fatalities in Kharkiv and left some communities without power in Mykolaiv.
European Security Advisers Convene in Kyiv to Review Peace Proposals Ahead of Paris Summit
European countries national security advisers attend a security forum in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Danylo Antoniuk)
European national security advisers arrived in Kyiv on Saturday for intensive talks to review peace proposals and coordinate security and economic plans as a U.S.-led diplomatic push to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine ramps up. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to meet European leaders next week in Paris.
Security Guarantees on the Table
Ukraine's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said the day would focus on security and economic issues, work on framework documents and coordination of next steps with partners. He noted representatives from Canada, NATO and many European institutions were present.
‘A busy working day lies ahead: security and economic issues, work on framework documents, coordination of further steps with partners,’ Umerov wrote on X.
Ukrainian negotiator Oleksandr Bevz described a proposed multilateral security framework that would position Ukrainian forces as the first line of defense, include European-led troop deployments on Ukrainian territory, and rely on U.S. backstop support to deter further aggression.
Large Economic Support Package Proposed
Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka said international partners have reached consensus on an economic support package of about $800 billion over the next decade. Based on estimates from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, the package would cover damage compensation, reconstruction, measures to stabilize the economy and a $200 billion growth ’booster’ tied to the reforms required for EU accession.
Economy Minister Oleksii Sobolev said specific funding sources are not yet finalized, but roughly $500 billion is expected to come from public grants and concessional loans, with finer details to be worked out in the coming weeks.
Diplomacy and Leadership Moves
Zelenskyy has called meetings with officials from about 30 countries — dubbed the Coalition of the Willing — to press for a negotiated, acceptable end to the war. National security advisers meeting in Kyiv will be followed by a leaders' summit in Paris next week.
On personnel, Zelenskyy proposed appointing Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal as energy minister and first deputy prime minister. On Friday he named Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence, as his new chief of staff, saying the move aims to sharpen focus on security, defense development and diplomacy.
On the Ground: Attacks and Damage
Russian strikes continued to strike Ukrainian cities over the weekend. The death toll from a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv rose to two, including a 3-year-old boy, according to Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov. An overnight Russian drone strike in the Mykolaiv region targeted critical infrastructure, causing power outages in some communities; regional head Vitalii Kim reported engineers worked through the night to restore electricity and that no casualties were reported.
Reporting based on statements from Ukrainian officials and international institutions.
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