The Paris meeting of the 'Coalition of the Willing' confirmed the continued existence of this high-level cooperation format. Twenty-seven leaders attended the summit, reaching agreements to establish institutional structures: a joint military staff, a coordination center, and further institutionalization of the coalition's work.
The coalition is actively engaging with both the US and Ukraine, providing a platform to discuss security guarantees. While NATO now primarily performs a logistical role in delivering arms, the coalition is Europe's main negotiator regarding security guarantees. At the Paris summit, a declaration on reliable security guarantees and a trilateral statement by the UK, France, and Ukraine were signed.
The creation of a joint military staff and coordination center marks a step toward greater formalization of the coalition. The US did not sign the declaration since it is not a coalition member, though it remains a principal partner in talks.
Concrete agreements on security guarantees are expected only once peace talks move closer to a final resolution. While negotiations continue, there is no significant acceleration. The US and Ukraine are jointly preparing proposals, which are then shared with Russia for review.
Russia remains a critical player; any breakthrough toward ending the war depends on its willingness to engage in new negotiation formats, such as trilateral talks involving the US. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has declared that the US is prepared to guarantee Ukraine's security after the war to help deter future aggression.
The Kremlin has reacted sharply to Western security guarantees, calling them a threat and escalation. Still, Western leaders see Ukraine's security as a pivotal issue in global politics. Negotiations are ongoing, but no rapid progress is expected at this stage.
