Macron welcomes the coalition of the willing in Paris.Image: keystone
The so-called coalition of the willing from Western supporter countries of Ukraine will meet for consultations in Paris on Monday.
Jul 13, 2026, 05:06Jul 13, 2026, 05:06
According to French President Emmanuel Macron, the talks between the alliance led by France and Great Britain to secure a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine will, among other things, cover the issue of missile defense and possible joint military maneuvers.
The federal government has confirmed the participation of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). It was unclear whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj would also be present at the deliberations in Paris.
Zelensky is making every effort to obtain new ammunition for his country’s Patriot anti-aircraft systems from partners. They are the most effective defensive weapon against Russia’s ballistic missiles. But the PAC-3 guided missiles are in short supply and production in the USA is running slowly. At the NATO summit in Ankara, US President Donald Trump promised Ukraine a license to build ammunition for the Patriot air defense system. But this is a long-term solution, there is currently a shortage of ammunition on site and Russia is taking advantage of this.
The meeting in Paris will also discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and other measures to support the country, which has been resisting a Russian invasion since February 2022. At the NATO summit in Ankara there were new promises of aid for Ukraine.
More than 35 countries have come together in the Coalition of the Willing. At the beginning of the year, the alliance agreed in a Paris statement to give Ukraine a legally binding assurance that it would not be left alone in the event of another Russian attack.
The coalition also laid out the framework for a multinational force that would serve as a deterrent and support the Ukrainian armed forces in peacetime – for example by training young soldiers or securing airspace and maritime areas. Moscow demands a say and vehemently rejects the stationing of foreign troops in Ukraine, but it itself triggered the war of aggression ordered by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.
EU foreign ministers discuss new sanctions against Russia
Before that, the foreign ministers of the EU states also discussed the situation in the Ukraine war at their last regular meeting before the summer break in Brussels. It is planned to impose further sanctions against people, institutions and organizations from Russia. It is unclear whether a comprehensive new package of trade restrictions and other measures can come into force. Negotiations about this were still ongoing recently.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) from Germany is expected to attend the talks. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha is invited to an informal exchange of views in Brussels.
Further pressure on Moscow could also come from Washington. Influential senators from both parties announced last week that they had agreed with the US government on new sanctions against Russia. Among the signatories of the statement is Republican Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly at the weekend shortly after returning from a visit to Ukraine and was considered an important supporter of Kiev. Among other things, the law provides for punishment of states that purchase Russian gas and oil. However, a statement from the White House is still pending.
Fighting in Ukraine continues
Meanwhile, fighting on the fronts in the east and southeast of Ukraine continues unabated. The main focus recently was the area around Kostyantynivka, Kramatorsk and Slovyansk, the General Staff in Kiev explained in its situation report on Sunday evening. The Russian troops were supported in their attacks by the Air Force, which used over 150 glide bombs against Ukrainian positions. An independent verification of the information was not possible. (sda/dpa)