Emmanuel Macron hosted more than 20 European leaders in Paris for 'coalition of the willing' talks on Ukraine, amid hopes that Kyiv's recent battlefield advances could pressure Moscow toward negotiations.
Key facts
- Macron hosted the 'coalition of the willing' at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, just before Bastille Day.
- More than 20 European leaders attended, including Zelenskyy, Starmer and Merz, according to the Guardian.
- France and Germany summoned Russian ambassadors over alleged Russian cyber-attacks on EU countries and Ukraine.
- Russia suspended shipping in the Sea of Azov after 90 vessels were targeted by Ukrainian drones in under a week, the Guardian reported.
French president Emmanuel Macron hosted the ‘coalition of the willing’ in Paris, bringing together more than 20 European leaders for further talks on how to support Kyiv and increase pressure on Moscow, according to the Guardian. The meeting was held at the Hôtel des Invalides, just before Bastille Day.
The gathering, which included Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK prime minister Keir Starmer and German chancellor Friedrich Merz, took place amid hopes that Ukraine’s recent advances in strikes on Russia could force Vladimir Putin toward a negotiating table, the Guardian reported.
Alongside the talks, Germany joined France in summoning the Russian ambassador in Berlin over what the EU alleges were Russian cyber-attacks against several EU countries and Ukraine. The German foreign ministry said the attacks were unacceptable and would be met with decisive actions, Reuters reported.
In remarks cited by the Guardian, Ukraine’s leadership argued that continued support was justified, saying: ‘Every single day of this war that Russia is waging against life only proves that supporting Ukraine is the right thing to do from every perspective – defence, political, and simply human.’ The statement added that Ukraine needs more air defence and more protection for people’s lives, and characterised the Russian authorities as having ‘gone insane over this war’ and being ‘completely irrational in refusing to end it.’
Russia has not responded to those remarks in the material available. On the battlefield, Russia was forced to suspend shipping in the Sea of Azov after 90 vessels were targeted by Ukrainian drones in less than a week, the Guardian reported.
Why it matters
The Paris talks bring together Europe's leading powers to coordinate support for Ukraine at a moment when Kyiv's battlefield gains may shift the diplomatic outlook. The simultaneous summoning of Russian ambassadors over alleged cyber-attacks underscores how the conflict is extending into digital and diplomatic arenas across the continent.
Frequently asked questions
Who attended the Paris coalition of the willing meeting?
According to the Guardian, more than 20 European leaders attended, including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK prime minister Keir Starmer and German chancellor Friedrich Merz, hosted by French president Emmanuel Macron.
Why did France and Germany summon Russian ambassadors?
Both countries summoned Russian ambassadors over what the EU alleges were Russian cyber-attacks against several EU countries and Ukraine. Germany's foreign ministry said the attacks were unacceptable and would be met with decisive actions, according to Reuters.
What happened in the Sea of Azov?
Russia was forced to suspend shipping in the Sea of Azov after 90 vessels were targeted by Ukrainian drones in less than a week, according to the Guardian.