Sentence:  Under the <WSD>aegis</WSD> of France a group of buffer states would be born. Austria would cede Venetia to Italy and receive Silesia from Prussia. France had only to promise Austria her neutrality and to keep Italy on its leash. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  "Usually as" '''under the aegis''': guidance, protection; endorsement, sponsorship.