Latest news with #CoalitionoftheWilling
UPI
11-07-2025
- Politics
- UPI
Ukraine's Zelensky meets with U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., on Friday to discuss U.S. support for Ukraine and sanctions pressure on Russia. The senators are participating in the Ukraine Recovery Conference and in the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. Their participation marked the first time representatives of the United States attended a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. Photo via Ukrainian Presidential Press Office | License Photo July 11 (UPI) -- Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on Friday. The meeting, called the Coalition of the Willing, also was attended by U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg. Zelenskyy said that strengthening Ukraine's air defense is a top priority. Ukrainian intelligence says Russia plans to launch attacks with up to 1,000 drones at a time. Ukraine's defense against these attacks are interceptor drones, but there must be more investment in their production, according to a statement from Zelensky. He also said Ukraine is ready to purchase a large defense package from the United States. To prevent Russia's ongoing attacks, Zelensky said there needs to be more sanctions against Russia. Graham and Blumenthal discussed a bill they are sponsoring that addresses that. "We also touched on the bill introduced by Senators Graham and Blumenthal regarding additional restrictive measures against Russia and those supporting its war effort," Zelensky said on X. "Without a doubt, this is exactly the kind of leverage that can bring peace closer and make sure diplomacy is not empty." Blumenthal added that other nations at the conference were supportive of the bill. "Deeply inspired & energized by strong solidarity among European heads of state -- hearing from Sen. Graham & me about our Russia Sanctions bill at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome," he said on X. "Powerful commitment to Ukraine's cause & our legislation." He hinted that the sanctions would hurt Russia-supporting nations. "Momentum building for our Russia Sanctions bill, shown by repeated statements of support from heads of state in Rome at the Ukraine Recovery Conference," he tweeted. "Bone crushing sanctions should help halt China, India & Brazil from fueling Russia's war machine by buying its oil & gas." In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks, launching record numbers of drones at Kyiv and other civilian targets. The United States has begun sending arms to Ukraine after a pause. The Ukraine Recovery Conference is a two-day event focused on building political and private-sector support for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
Mint
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Europe's Ukraine plan: Starmer, Macron, von der Leyen, Tusk & Meloni unveil bold push to crush Putin's war
At the Ukraine Recovery Conference, European leaders presented a united front in support of Kyiv's defense, reconstruction, and long-term future, urging stepped-up pressure on Russia and unveiling a coordinated post-war plan to stabilize the region. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron led calls for heightened pressure on Moscow through new sanctions and coordinated support. 'We should shift our work for preparing for peace, making it happen by forcing Putin to the table… this coordinated pressure will make a difference,' Starmer said. He revealed that European peacekeeping plans are 'mature' and backed by months of preparation, while Macron added they are 'ready to go' once a ceasefire is in place. Starmer announced that the 'Coalition of the Willing,' a multinational alliance now joined by the US, has agreed on post-ceasefire operations to support Ukraine's security. 'We announced plans for a new multinational force Ukraine headquartered in Paris, so that we are ready to support a peace deal when it comes,' Starmer said. The headquarters will rotate to London after a year, with plans to: Rebuild Ukraine's land forces Support air policing with coalition aircraft Secure the Black Sea In the short term, the coalition vowed to prioritise defending Ukraine's critical infrastructure from relentless Russian strikes. 'In the coming days and weeks, we will step up our support… through crippling sanctions and ensuring Ukraine's Armed Forces have the equipment they need,' Starmer added. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk delivered a stark warning: 'This is not a war just about Ukraine, but a war about Europe… or perhaps even about the world,' he said. 'This is a war between civilisation and barbarism.' Tusk called Ukraine an inspiration to the world and a frontline innovator in defense, especially drone and autonomous tech, adding that NATO has much to learn. 'There will be no recovery without victory,' he said. 'Our consciences cannot rest while Putin attacks civilians, night after night.' European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged enduring support: 'We will be on your side for as long as it takes,' she told Ukrainian leaders. €4 billion in new grants A flagship equity reconstruction fund, the world's largest of its kind, backed by the EU, Italy, Germany, France, Poland, and the EIB New support for Ukraine's EU accession, saying the EU is ready to 'open cluster one' of negotiations 'The future has two flags: the flag of Ukraine and the flag of Europe,' von der Leyen declared. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz affirmed full support for Ukraine's EU ambitions and likened its recovery to Europe's post-WWII rebirth: 'Some of the recipes that were applied back then can still serve us when we focus on Ukraine's recovery today,' he said. He also pledged deeper industrial and defense cooperation, including investment in Ukraine's energy and business development sectors. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned that Russia is intensifying attacks on civilians but praised Ukraine's resilience: 'Our task is to help Ukraine. We will do it, to rewrite this new chapter of its history,' she said. Meloni announced new reconstruction contracts with Italian companies like Enel and Leonardo, and urged businesses: 'Do not be scared of investing in Ukraine… It is an investment in peace, and in the growth of Europe as a whole.' In a rare direct appeal, Merz also addressed US President Donald Trump, urging continued American support: 'We are on the same page, and we are looking for a stable political order in this world. Stay with us, on this side and on this page of our common history.'
ITV News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Ukraine peacekeeping plans 'ready to go' as Kyiv hit by deadly Russian drone attacks
European peacekeeping plans to aid Ukraine once the war ends are now "mature" after months of planning Sir Keir Starmer said on Thursday, after Ukraine was hit by a deadly Russian drone attack overnight. French president Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to the UK, described the so-called coalition of the willing as 'ready to go' once a ceasefire is agreed as European leaders and US representatives dialled into a call. Under the plans, troops from France and the UK would be placed in Ukraine, while other countries would provide logistical support, all with the aim of deterring further Russian aggression. The prime minister told the gathered allies: 'I am very pleased to say today that these plans are mature and we are putting them on a long-term footing.' While the French president added: 'We have a plan that is ready to go and initiate in the hours after a ceasefire.' Also on Thursday, the UK confirmed up to £283 million will be used in bilateral assistance for Ukraine over the next year and announced the delivery of 5,000 Thales Air Defence missiles supported by a £2.5billion guarantee with a 19-year financing agreement. Earlier on Thursday, the two leaders also announced that they will purchase new supplies of Storm Shadow missiles, which both countries have loaned to Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia. The meeting comes after Ukraine's capital was hit by another Russian mass missile and drone attack overnight into Thursday, the day after the heaviest missile attack of the war. At least two people were killed and more than 19 people injured in the second night of ferocious attacks on the country, as Russia ramps up its aerial assaults. 18 missiles, including ballistic ones, and nearly 400 drones, 200 of them "shaheds", were used in the 10 hour attack on Kyiv and other nearby regions, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Houses, residential buildings, cars, warehouse facilities, offices and other buildings across the city were damaged and caught fire, with a health care clinic almost completely destroyed, according to city authorities. Rescue workers were working at a residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi District, after falling debris caused a fire on the top floor of an apartment building, said Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko in a post on Telegram. In a statement on X, Zelenskyy said: This is a clear escalation of terror by Russia — hundreds of "shaheds" every night, constant strikes, and massive attacks on Ukrainian cities. "This demands that we speed things up. Sanctions must be imposed faster, and pressure on Russia must be strong enough that they truly feel the consequences of their terror." The Ukrainian president urged for more funding for interceptor drones and confirmed he will be speaking to the Coalition of the Willing later on Thursday. European leaders met at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on Thursday to urge private companies and equity funds to invest in the rebuilding of Ukraine, even as Russia's accelerates its war. Italian prime minister Georgia Meloni opened the conference, where she said individual deals and grants unlocking more than 10 billion euros of investment would be finalised at the conference. She told the gathering of business and political representatives that "the reconstruction of Ukraine is not a risk. It's an investment in a nation that has shown more resilience than any other". Overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday, Russia fired more than 700 attack and decoy drones, the largest aerial assault the war has seen so far. It's the third time the record has been broken over two weeks. On July 4, Russia fired 550 drones, less than a week after it launched 477, both the largest aerial strikes to date at the time. These attacks comes as US-led peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia stall. Zelenskyy said that the Kremlin was 'making a point' with its barrage. Two rounds of direct peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations have yielded no progress so far on stopping the fighting. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Thursday there is no date for a possible third round of negotiations. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was 'not happy' with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hasn't budged from his ceasefire and peace demands since Trump took office in January and began to push for a settlement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Malaysia on Thursday for what could be testy talks following Russia's overnight attack. Trump said on Monday that the US would have to send more weapons to Ukraine, just days after Washington paused critical weapons deliveries to Kyiv.
Metro
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Delays and diplomacy: Inside Starmer's migrant deal announcement with Macron
I'm used to delays at official events involving world leaders. But I don't normally know exactly what the world leaders are up to while I wait. Today was different – as I waited in a lecture theatre at Northwood base in north-west London, I knew Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron were a short distance away in a conference room, leading a video conference call with the 'Coalition of the Willing'. They must have had plenty to say. The minutes ticked by and the temperature in the stuffy room rose. There was no update and no internet, effectively scrambled thanks to our military surroundings. Finally, an hour after we were told the press conference with the Prime Minister and President would begin, our group of French, British and US journalists was shuffled over to the main HQ building. The flags outside were completely still as the July heat crept towards 30C. Craig Munro breaks down Westminster chaos into easy to follow insight, walking you through what the latest policies mean to you. Sent every Wednesday. Sign up here. Starmer and Macron were escorted from the room where the video call had taken place, directly to their stately podiums. The President looked a little uncomfortable with his baffling choice of a three-piece suit as the temperature rose inside too. But he was able to stand in silence as Starmer launched the conference by immediately diving into the topic of the day: illegal migration. 'There is no silver bullet here, but with a united effort, new tactics and a new level of intent, we can finally turn the table,' he said. The PM then revealed what everyone in the room already knew – the UK had reached an agreement with France to pilot a 'one in, one out' scheme in which migrants arriving via small boats would be swapped with asylum seekers who have a British link. Once those considering setting out on the treacherous journey across the Channel know there's a chance they'll be sent right back, they won't bother trying – or so the logic goes. He said: 'The President and I have agreed that this pilot will be implemented in coming weeks.' When it was Macron's turn to speak, we got plenty about the Coalition of the Willing, and a new agreement on nuclear deterrent cooperation, and the Bayeux Tapestry/Sutton Hoo exchange. Those of us wearing translating headphones pressed them close to check we hadn't missed anything. Where was the migration chat? More Trending The wait was worth it when he got round to it at last, though. As Starmer shifted and looked around, Macron leapt into a full-throated condemnation of Brexit. Leave campaigners 'sold a lie to the British people,' he said, 'which is that the problem is Europe'. When the PM spoke afterwards, the word 'Brexit' never passed his lips. The causes of the situation may be disputed, but a proposed solution has been agreed. Time will tell whether it pays off. MORE: Physical threat from Iran to people in UK 'now comparable with Russia' MORE: Lawyer 'killed himself' after defending 'worst paedophile who ever lived' MORE: Labour's welfare reform bill passes Commons despite 47-strong rebellion
Euractiv
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Euractiv
Ukraine ‘Coalition of the Willing' to get headquarters in Paris
A new permanent headquarters in Paris will serve as the base for the Western-led 'Coalition of the Willing' for Ukraine for one year, coordinating a future multinational 'reassurance force' ready to support Kyiv after a potential ceasefire. A virtual meeting of coalition leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and other European leaders agreed on the step on Thursday. A three-star multinational operational headquarters in Paris, led jointly by France and the UK, will rotate to London after 12 months and enable flexible military contributions from partner nations. The fact that Paris called dibs on the headquarters is seen as a political win for Macron, who in the past weeks has made attempts to revive efforts to position France back at the centre of diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, including a controversial phone call with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. The plan was developed after military chiefs met in Paris on Monday to agree on the strategy for the force and coordinate plans with the EU, NATO, and the US, as well as more than 200 planners from 30 international partners. Once a decision is made to deploy a reassurance force to Ukraine in the future, potentially, a coordination cell led by a UK officer would also be established in Kyiv. Some of its tasks would include rebuilding Ukraine's armed forces, securing its skies, and ensuring safe maritime access in the Black Sea. So far, however, the ad-hoc format of Ukraine's allies, which has become more formalised over the past few months, has produced few tangible results. While coalition members continue to provide immediate military and financial assistance to help Ukraine defend its territory and protect critical infrastructure amid relentless Russian strikes, the idea of any post-war arrangement has not moved forward. For the first time, however, US representatives were part of the coalition talks – including Ukraine special envoy Keith Kellogg and US Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal – after previous editions of the talks had been widely shunned by the Trump administration. The announcement also comes as Moscow's battlefield advances in Ukraine in the past weeks increase the urgency of Western support to Kyiv – but Volodymr Zelenskyy is having to get increasingly creative to coax aid out of them. (mm)
