The leaders of the so-called ‘coalition of the willing’ have met at a summit in Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron greets Vladimir Zelensky at the Coalition of the Willing summit at the Elysee Palace, Paris, France, September 4, 2025. © Global Look Press/Alexis Sciard
A meeting of Ukraine’s western European backers, known as the ‘coalition of the willing’, at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday has brought together European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Vladimir Zelensky, and the leaders of Belgium, Poland, Finland and France.
Kiev has been pressing the West to provide security guarantees that could serve as a substitute for NATO’s collective defense since the US effectively blocked Ukraine’s bid to join the bloc.
Several European nations, including France and the UK, have voiced their readiness to deploy peacekeepers to Ukraine, while Germany recently said it has no such plans. Trump has ruled out sending US troops.
Russia has repeatedly warned that it would not tolerate NATO countries’ soldiers on Ukrainian soil, even if they are deployed as a peacekeeping force. President Vladimir Putin has specified that in order for a ceasefire to be achieved, Western military aid to Kiev must end.
-
04 September 2025
14:02 GMT
Trump told CBS News on Wednesday that he remains committed to pursuing a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement, despite uncertainty over the prospect of face-to-face talks. He characterized his position as both realistic and optimistic, stating, “Something is going to happen, but they [Putin and Zelensky] are not ready yet. But something is going to happen. We are going to get it done.”
- 13:50 GMT
According to an Axios report, Trump held a virtual meeting on Thursday with Zelensky and a group of European leaders to discuss the stalled diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Paris and participated in the meeting prior to the call, and also met with Zelensky separately.
According to Axios, Kiev officials said Zelensky discussed a set of options for security guarantees with the European leaders, with the key principles being a strong Ukrainian military, a European military presence in the country, and a US “backstop.”
- 13:37 GMT
Kiev’s backers have pledged to supply Ukraine with long range missiles, the British government has stated. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has “welcomed” the relevant “announcements from ‘coalition of the willing’ partners,” the statement said, without revealing the timeline of deliveries or the types of weapons that are to be sent.
More