KYIV – Ukraine will host a meeting of leaders from the so-called “coalition of the willing” on Saturday, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced, as Kyiv continues to seek robust international security guarantees amid its prolonged war with Russia. The coalition, formed earlier this year and spearheaded by France and Britain, emerged in response to European concerns over the declining reliability of U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion, now entering its fourth year.
In a video address, Zelenskiy emphasized the need for the coalition to be strong and aligned in vision to ensure Ukraine’s long-term security. Discussions have been ongoing among coalition members regarding the scope of Europe’s role in providing post-war security assurances, though concrete commitments remain elusive given the uncertain prospects of a ceasefire. Ukraine is lobbying for explicit guarantees to deter future Russian aggression, including the potential deployment of a limited foreign military contingent as part of any agreement.
Zelenskiy also disclosed that he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump and conveyed Ukraine’s readiness to enact a proposed 30-day ceasefire as an initial step toward peace. Trump had suggested the ceasefire in March, and while Kyiv promptly accepted, Moscow has maintained that such a move would only be viable with mechanisms to effectively monitor and uphold it. Details about who will physically attend Saturday’s meeting in Kyiv remain unclear. However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently expressed intentions to visit Ukraine soon, and French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed France’s participation in the meeting, noting it would take place in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual attendance.