Diplomatic life is bustling in Paris these days. On the eve of Bastille Day, July 13, a major summit of the "Coalition of the Willing" is taking place at the Invalides. Leaders of 37 states have gathered to discuss Ukraine's future and coordinate efforts for military and strategic support for Kyiv.
Expansion of the Coalition and Zelenskyy's Visit
The initiative launched by France and the United Kingdom has grown significantly over the past few months. This time, Moldova and North Macedonia have joined the negotiations for the first time. The central figure of the event is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who arrived in Paris for Monday and Tuesday.
Advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron clearly outlined the main goal of the meeting: to demonstrate the unity of Western countries and to make it clear to Moscow that allies do not suffer from "war fatigue." This summit aims to solidify agreements reached earlier at the G7 in Évian and NATO in Ankara, where €70 billion in military aid for 2026 was promised.
Air Defense Plans and Patriot Licensing
At the center of attention for participants is the strengthening of Ukraine's air defense. Leaders will discuss creating a comprehensive missile defense system capable of countering modern threats. Special attention is being paid to the US plan for licensed production of Patriot missiles directly on Ukrainian territory. This decision should ensure the long-term sustainability of Ukraine's air defense system.
Security Guarantees and Peacekeeping Mission
A separate item on the agenda is security guarantees in the event of a hypothetical ceasefire. The French side confirmed that plans for deploying multinational mission forces are already "ready," although details may be adjusted. These forces will be based on legally binding bilateral agreements, while the US will take on monitoring compliance with the ceasefire regime.
July 14 Parade: Symbolic Presence of Ukraine
Immediately after the summit, leaders will attend the annual military parade on the Champs-Élysées. This year, it has become even more large-scale: nearly 6,800 servicemen will participate — 15% more than last year. The march will be led by 500 military personnel from "Coalition of the Willing" countries, and Ukrainian soldiers have already rehearsed with the national flag.
The "Patrouille de France" aerobatic team will take part in the air portion of the parade, along with two Mirage fighters piloted by Ukrainian pilots trained in France. This will become a bright symbol of cooperation and recognition of Ukraine's contribution to European security.
Financial Instruments and Arms Procurement
European partners continue to seek new financial mechanisms to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It has become known that Ukraine will purchase weapons from the United Kingdom using a loan from the European Union. The parties have already reached the final stage of coordinating this agreement, which will allow for the direct financing of equipment purchases from British companies.
Thus, the Paris summit became not just a formal event, but a real step towards strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities and demonstrating the West's determination to support Kyiv until total victory.
