Zelensky: Coalition of the Willing meeting being prepared to set common European stance in talks with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday, 15 November, that a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, an alliance of Ukraine's allies, is being prepared. Its aim is to agree a common European position in negotiations with Russia on ending the war. Until now, talks on settling Europe's most severe war since World War II were held in a Ukraine–Russia–US format, and Moscow did not want European representatives to take part.

In his evening video address, Zelensky said the meeting is important and "could be historic". He added that it may allow a "100% firm European position for victory" to be defined. In his words, the trilateral Ukraine–US–Russia format must become not only a four-party one, but also considerably stronger.

Ramstein group meeting

A meeting of the Ramstein group is also planned for next week. The group brings together countries that support Ukraine's defence. Zelensky said the session must be productive and send Russia a strong signal that Ukraine will not be left without support.

Europe has chosen five countries — France, Britain, Poland, Germany and Italy — to send representatives to further talks on Ukraine.

Attacks on the energy system

Moscow has stepped up attacks on Ukraine ahead of winter, continuing them this week while two days of talks were held in Abu Dhabi. According to Zelensky, Russia's recent strategy has been to pick one region as a particular target and concentrate strikes for several days on electricity grids and substations.

He noted that since the start of September, Russian attacks have hit Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region in the central part of the country hardest. The strikes often leave thousands of civilians without electricity as temperatures continue to fall.

The United States has urged an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, but diplomatic efforts have so far produced no breakthrough.