The US has unexpectedly endorsed a ceasefire security guarantee for Ukraine, marking a significant shift in its stance. This move comes as a coalition of Ukraine's allies, primarily European nations, gathered in Paris to solidify their commitment to protect Ukraine in the event of a Russian attack. The summit, attended by US representatives, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, signifies a new level of American involvement in the conflict. The security protocols aim to deter further attacks and provide a robust defense mechanism, as emphasized by President Trump's strong support for these measures. The US envoys' presence highlights the importance of this pledge, which addresses territorial issues and aims to ensure Ukraine's security once and for all. The pledge includes a robust deterrence system and real safeguards to prevent future attacks, as Kushner noted. This development comes as Britain and France have pledged to deploy troops to Ukraine post-ceasefire, a move that Russia is likely to oppose. The French President, Emmanuel Macron, suggested that several thousand French soldiers could be sent to Ukraine to maintain peace. However, Moscow has shown no indication of accepting a peace deal with the security guarantees proposed by Ukraine's allies. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, celebrated his troops' 'holy mission' to defend Russia during a Russian Orthodox Christmas service. In other news, a Ukrainian drone attack on an oil depot in Russia's Belgorod region caused several oil storage tanks to catch fire, but there were no casualties, and firefighters contained the blaze.
