'Coalition of the willing' to meet on August 24, focus on Ukraine's air defence

France's Élysée Palace has said that the upcoming August 24 meeting of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' will primarily address strengthening Ukraine's air defence capabilities. The information was reported by Le Figaro, citing the Élysée Palace, and relayed by Yevropeiska Pravda.

According to the statement, Ukraine is becoming increasingly vulnerable to Russian strikes due to a shortage of interceptor missiles. The Élysée Palace said the meeting's leaders will reaffirm their determination to increase pressure on Russia and will continue coordinating measures aimed at reducing the resources Russia uses to fund its military campaign, including efforts to counter its so-called 'shadow fleet'.

The statement added that the gathering will allow further work on security guarantees intended to help establish a just, solid and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Timed with independence day

The meeting will take place in a 'hybrid' format, with some participants attending in person and others joining by videoconference. The French presidential administration noted that the meeting symbolically falls on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's declaration of independence, serving as an occasion to reaffirm firm support for the Ukrainian people in their fight to preserve sovereignty and independence.

It had previously been known that the leaders of the 'coalition of the willing' would gather on Ukraine's Independence Day, August 24, though the venue was not disclosed. The meeting will be co-chaired by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. NATO will be represented remotely, via videoconference, by Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska, while European Council President Antonio Costa will attend in person in Kyiv.