Macron hosts Zelenskyy, Starmer and Merz for Paris summit of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris today, bringing together over 20 European leaders for talks on helping Ukraine and increasing pressure on Moscow. The meeting takes place at the Hôtel des Invalides, just before Bastille Day.

Earlier, Macron will meet with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A press conference is scheduled for late afternoon with Macron, Zelenskyy, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and Britain’s outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The four leaders last met in December in London.

Ahead of the meeting, France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said France will summon the Russian ambassador to Paris in the coming days over an alleged cyber hacking campaign by Russia against European countries. Barrot stated that France will publicly condemn a widespread cyber campaign carried out by Russia against at least 10 European countries. Sanctions will be imposed on nine individuals and four entities responsible for the campaign, orchestrated by the FSB security service.

Separately, EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss the bloc’s 21st sanctions package against Russia. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters there are still open questions but hoped for an agreement later today. Lithuanian foreign minister Kęstutis Budrys said EU countries have not yet reached a decision on a proposed maritime services ban and tightening restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas, warning that putting economic interests above security interests is a dangerous trend.