The ongoing efforts to establish security guarantees for Ukraine have made substantial progress, prompting the Elysée Palace to note that only confirmation of U.S. support is needed at the upcoming “Coalition of the Willing” meeting. The groundwork laid since the coalition’s initial meeting in mid-February has focused on reinforcing Ukraine’s military capabilities and ensuring its readiness to deter future aggressions after a potential ceasefire. This includes devising long-term strategies for consolidating the Ukrainian armed forces and planning the deployment of an international reassurance force in non-combat zones across the nation.
The upcoming meeting is crucial, with France emphasizing its readiness to take on security responsibilities if the United States reciprocates. The Elysée underscored the message that progress has been made, indicating that the coalition is prepared to move forward, pending U.S. support. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that European nations will have to bear most of the security burden, asserting that no American troops will be deployed. Nevertheless, Trump has indicated his willingness to provide support through air and missile defenses and increased intelligence sharing.
While details of the security guarantees remain undisclosed, the coalition’s representatives are prepared to convey their readiness to assume greater responsibility on the condition that the U.S. fulfills its commitments. The meeting, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, was in response to a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This request was underscored by the looming deadline set by Trump for Putin to engage in dialogue with Zelenskyy.
Leaders from approximately 30 countries, predominantly in Europe, are set to engage in discussions aimed at demonstrating their adherence to commitments made to Ukraine. The coalition seeks to highlight that they have fulfilled their obligations and are encouraging Trump to take action against Putin as he previously threatened. Zelenskyy is expected to participate remotely from Paris, following discussions with Macron the previous night. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also join the talks.
Simultaneously, Russian President Vladimir Putin is participating in World War II commemorations in China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, alongside notable figures such as North Korea’s Kim Jong-un and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The presence of these leaders has drawn criticism from Western allies, pointing to their role in bolstering Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. The Western response to this convergence of leaders aims to emphasize the geopolitical complexities surrounding the current conflict.
As the international community approaches the scheduled meeting, the tension between the need for cohesive support for Ukraine and the hesitance of key players—especially the U.S.—remains a focal point. The effectiveness of the upcoming discussions will largely depend on the ability of European allies to present a unified front while pressing for decisive action from the United States in response to Russian aggression.
