Ukraine: What is the Coalition of the Willing?

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a war of aggression against Ukraine in blatant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Since the first day of conflict, France, alongside its partners, has supported Ukraine in the defence of its sovereignty, its independence and its territorial integrity. Honouring its commitment to international law, France defends the advent of a just and lasting peace, which neither compensates the aggressor nor condone any violation of international law.

This is the context in which the Coalition of the Willing conducts its action as a federator, around France, the United Kingdom and their partners, of a group of countries determined to establish their support for Ukraine over the long term. Jointly chaired by France and the United Kingdom, it not only brings together European Union Member States, but also European partners, including Norway and Albania, as well as international partners and allies, among them, Canada, Turkey, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. 

The goals of the Coalition of the Willing: 

1. Build robust security guarantees for Ukraine and implement them if hostilities cease  

The Coalition of the Willing is the main forum for coordination and discussion on security guarantees for Ukraine. They are based on five components defined in the Paris Declaration of 6 January 2026:

1. Participation in a US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism;
2. Support (in terms of finance, capabilities and cooperation) for Ukraine’s Armed Forces over the long term as they will be Ukraine’s first line of defence;
3. A Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNF-U), which will be deployed at Ukraine’s request as soon as there is a credible cessation of hostilities – see below; 
4. Commitments to support Ukraine in the case of a future attack by Russia in order to restore peace;
5. Commitments to deepen long-term defence cooperation with Ukraine.

In addition to regenerating Ukraine’s Armed Forces, the Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNF-U) is to be deployed in Ukrainian territory as a reassurance force for Ukraine and to deter any resurgence of Russian aggression. 

2. Foster coordination in terms of support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia

Coalition of the Willing summits at the level of heads of State and Government, enable the participating States to coordinate their actions in providing support for Ukraine and exerting pressure on Russia, in liaison with other bodies (European Union, Ukraine Defence Contact Group - UDCG, etc.).

The origins of the Coalition of the Willing

17 February 2025: French impetus 

At the instigation of the President of the French Republic, a first meeting of European leaders was held at the Élysée Palace to begin collective discussion on the conditions for a just and enduring peace in Ukraine and on the security guarantees that could accompany it. This meeting established the foundations for the future Coalition of the Willing.

2 March 2025: First official mention of the Coalition of the Willing

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired the London Summit on Ukraine; entitled “Securing Our Future”. He announced the creation of a “Coalition of the Willing” aiming to secure collective support and a potential agreement in Ukraine and to contribute to the necessary guarantees for an enduring peace. 

15 March 2025: First meeting in a video call 

The Coalition had its first official meeting in video call, bringing together nearly 25 partner countries, alongside NATO’s Secretary General, European Union leaders and representatives from Canada, Australia and New Zealand. During this meeting the first foundations for a common architecture for security guarantees were laid, with two priorities: sustainable development of Ukrainian military capabilities and preparation of a multinational reassurance force, able to be deployed on land, sea or in the air once hostilities cease. It also marked a new step in broader international action to assist Ukraine.

The Coalition of the Will in five key stages 

First time US representatives attended 

The Meeting of 10 July 2025, held in a video call from London and Rome, creates a new dimension to international action, with the participation, for the first time, of US representatives, including the United States Special Envoy, Keith Kellogg, and Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal. This opening up testifies to the broadening of transatlantic dialogue on Ukraine’s security. 

In a context marked by Russia’s refusal to subscribe to a complete and unconditional ceasefire despite Ukraine’s consent, the leaders agreed to exert more pressure on Moscow, particularly through new restrictive measures targeting energy and finance sectors and the shadow fleet. At the military level, they reaffirmed their pledge to provide at least €40 billion in support for Ukraine in 2025, to preserve and strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities in the long term. 

Progressive enlargement of the Coalition 

At a meeting in Paris on 4 September 2025 chaired by President Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Coalition’s work becomes more operational. With 35 members, the Coalition now has a consolidated vision of its participants’ contributions: 26 countries formalized their pledges of security guarantees for Ukraine (in French). 

These contributions include participation in a reassurance force, with a land, sea and air presence in Ukraine or in its surrounding areas, once a ceasefire or an agreement has entered into force. At the same time, capability-building of Ukraine’s Armed Forces was reaffirmed as the first component of these guarantees, without limiting its format or capacity. 

Paris Declaration of 6 January:  Convergence towards a common model of security guarantees

Meeting in Paris with Ukraine and the United States in attendance, Coalition members entered into a critical stage on 6 January 2026 by agreeing on a common architecture for security guarantees, intended to accompany any peace agreements and ensuring that they endure. They agreed on the establishment of politically and legally binding guarantees to be activated once a credible ceasefire enters into force.

The Coalition established a common political and operational framework to ensure Ukraine’s security over the long term. 

The Coalition of the Willing Summit in Paris: implementation of concrete military aid

Held in Paris on 13 July 2026, co-chaired by the President of the French Republic, the UK Prime Minister and the German Federal Chancellor, with Ukrainian President Zelensky in attendance, the 16th Coalition of the Willing Summit (in French) was an important milestone in international support for Ukraine. With 36 countries engaged, the Coalition confirmed that it is a sustainable framework for action, able to reach a convergence of political commitments and military contributions of its members. 

This Summit had a dual purpose: to support Ukraine more swiftly and more strongly, while stepping up pressure on Russia to end its fighting. France realized this ambition with a series of announcements on support for Ukraine. 

The Exercise Koalicija: the Coalition’s concrete work in terms of preparedness

The Exercise Koalicija 26.2, under the command of the United Kingdom and France, is being held from 2 to 24 November 2026, with its key activities taking place from 9 to 22 November 2026. The exercise involves the deployment of land, sea and air forces, placed under the orders of the MNF-U headquarters. It will simulate logistical operation, the protection of forces, the integration and activities required to support military training and the regeneration of forces in Ukraine under adequate security conditions.

The exercise involves 2,800 soldiers from 13 countries contributing to the MNF-U. This preparedness stage aims to ensure that the forces are ready to be deployed to meet Ukrainian government’s needs as they arise. It is a clear signal of MNF-U countries’ commitment to supporting a just and lasting peace in Ukraine with robust and credible security guarantees.