Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak arrived in Paris for a meeting within the “coalition of the willing”. The Ukrainians plan to hold bilateral and multilateral meetings with representatives of the coalition countries.
In particular, they will meet with representatives of the UK, France and Germany, Yermak said.
“We also plan to meet with representatives of the United States, who are currently in France. We are working on important issues for the security of Ukraine and the whole of Europe,” he said.
Rustem Umerov added that “the focus of the conversations is on joint steps to achieve sustainable peace in Ukraine, further development of Ukraine’s security architecture and ensuring the security of our country”.
“Meetings are also planned with US representatives who are in France,” he confirmed.
Today, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Representative Steve Witkoff – who has flown to Russia three times for talks with Putin – will be in Paris. The purpose of their visit is not limited to Ukraine: they also planned to discuss Iran and other topics.
The Ukrainian and American delegations met several times, but in Saudi Arabia. The meetings resulted in an agreement on an energy truce, which Russia does not adhere to. Ukraine also agreed to a complete ceasefire, but Russia did not give its consent.
What is the coalition of the willing?
Against the backdrop of tensions between Kyiv and Washington, Europe has stepped up efforts to secure a just peace for Ukraine. London and Paris have taken the lead in this regard. The British prime minister was the first to announce that his country was ready to send peacekeepers to Ukraine to ensure security after Ukraine and Russia agree to end the war.
Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are meeting with other leaders to develop concrete steps. The coalition of the willing unites about 30 countries – and although not all of them are ready to send their own troops to Ukraine, they show support for the idea and express their willingness to help in various ways.