Coalition of Willing expands. Next meeting to be held in Ukraine
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
According to the president, today's meeting was important and productive.
"We are not just preserving this format. Within the coalition, we are moving toward the point where it will be possible to say that peace is getting closer. It is cooperation between us here in Europe, and with America, with the US president, and with everyone around the world who wants peace, that is bringing the war closer to an end," Zelenskyy said.
He announced that Moldova and North Macedonia had joined the Coalition of the Willing, bringing the total number of participants to 40 countries.
The president also said the participants praised the actions of Ukraine's military and stressed the need to maintain pressure on Russia.
"Many people said today that, thanks to our soldiers and our operations, there is now a unique situation, and our pressure on Russia is indeed significant and justified. More pressure is needed. There must be more cooperation in Europe," the head of state added.
Zelenskyy also revealed that the parties had agreed to hold the next meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Ukraine.
"It is important that we agreed to hold our next Coalition of the Willing meeting in Ukraine," the president concluded.
During the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris on July 13, an anti-ballistic missile coalition was established, with Ukraine among its founding members. The group includes 10 European countries that will jointly develop missile defense capabilities.
In addition, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris will provide Ukraine with Rafale fighter jets, with the first aircraft expected to be delivered in 2028-2029. France will also grant licenses for the production of Aster-30 surface-to-air missiles, SCALP cruise missiles, and AASM Hammer guided bombs, while supplying additional radars and missiles to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses.
