France is preparing to host a significant meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” this coming Monday, just ahead of the annual 14 July celebrations. At least 25 heads of state or government are expected to gather in Paris to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine. The coalition, which was established in Paris and is jointly led by France and the United Kingdom, has grown to include 37 nations, participating through both in-person meetings and video conferences. This upcoming session marks the first time Moldova and North Macedonia will join the group as new members.
Meeting at the Hôtel des Invalides, the allies intend to bolster a renewed sense of unity and cooperation regarding Ukraine. This initiative follows commitments made at the recent G7 summit in Évian and the NATO summit in Ankara, where allies pledged €70 billion in military aid to Kyiv for 2026. According to an adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, the primary objective is to demonstrate that Western allies remain committed to their support and that Moscow cannot rely on “war fatigue.”
The discussions will center on air defence cooperation, specifically looking at new US plans for the licensed production of Patriot missiles within Ukraine, as well as the potential creation of an anti-ballistic missile system. Regarding security guarantees for a hypothetical ceasefire, the French presidency stated that plans for a multinational force stationed away from front lines are “ready,” though they remain subject to change as an end to hostilities appears distant. Beyond the presence of troops on the ground, these guarantees would be based on “legally binding” bilateral agreements and on US involvement in monitoring a ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated to be present in Paris for both Monday and Tuesday. The diplomatic meeting precedes France’s annual Bastille Day parade, which the Élysée Palace confirmed will feature nearly 6,800 service personnel. This year’s event represents a 15% increase in troops and a 30% rise in participating vehicles and aircraft compared to last year. Nearly 500 service members representing Coalition of the Willing countries are scheduled to lead the parade. The display will also feature the Patrouille de France, accompanied by two Mirage jets flown by Ukrainian co-pilots trained in France, along with various aircraft from Germany, Britain, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Greece, Italy, Norway, Poland, and Sweden.
