25-Nation Coalition Advances Defense Plans for Ukraine; US Provides Legislative and Production Support

More than 25 heads of state joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Monday for a summit of the coalition of the willing. The gathering, launched by France and the United Kingdom in February 2025, will focus on air and missile defense cooperation with Ukraine, including licensed weapons production inside the country.

Leaders plan to declare the Multinational Force for Ukraine ready for deployment once fighting ends and to schedule future joint military exercises.

The coalition has met more than 15 times and adopted the Paris Declaration on January 6, which outlined security guarantees and ceasefire monitoring. France, Britain and Spain have said they are ready to send troops. Washington, which is not formally part of the coalition, has ruled out deploying American ground troops but would participate in monitoring a ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump signaled greater support for Ukraine at the June G7 summit in France and the NATO meeting in Turkey this week. Washington last week advanced bipartisan legislation targeting countries buying Russian energy. This month Washington gave Ukraine permission to build US-designed Patriot air defense systems capable of downing ballistic missiles, though production may take months.

The summit takes place the day before France's Bastille Day. Zelensky and other leaders will attend the military parade on the Champs-Elysées on July 14, which will highlight support for Ukraine. An adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron said the meeting will demonstrate that Ukraine's supporters remain firmly committed and that there is no sign of fatigue.

Zelensky has repeated his plea for more military aid as the Russian invasion enters its fifth year.