European Leaders to hold crucial meeting in Ukraine to bolster support for Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that leaders from the “coalition of the willing”, a group of nations committed to enhancing support for Ukraine, will convene in the country on Saturday.

However, Zelensky did not reveal the identities of those expected to attend or the precise location of the meeting.

The coalition, led by the United Kingdom and France, comprises approximately 30 countries that have consistently increased pressure on Russia amid its ongoing three-year invasion of Ukraine. Both London and Paris have suggested that coalition members might eventually deploy troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire is achieved, a move that Russia has categorically rejected, warning it could provoke direct conflict between Moscow and NATO.

Speaking via video link at a military summit in Oslo on Friday, Zelensky confirmed preparations for the pivotal gathering. “We are also preparing in Ukraine for a meeting with the leaders of the coalition of the willing,” he stated. “We need this coalition, and we need it to be robust enough to ensure security… Tomorrow, the meetings.”

Earlier, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre mentioned that there would be a meeting on Saturday involving Norway, Zelensky, and leadership from France and the United Kingdom, though without providing further details. In addition, the office of Finnish President Alexander Stubb confirmed his participation in a “virtual meeting” of the coalition, following an invitation from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Thus far, neither London nor Paris has issued any official statements regarding the planned gathering.

Ukraine has consistently urged its allies to consider deploying troops to its territory once hostilities cease, aiming to prevent potential future Russian aggression. The country has also called on the coalition to escalate sanctions and economic pressure on Moscow.