France, UK, Germany leaders to meet in Kyiv to boost Ukraine support

The leaders of France, Britain, and Germany are set to co-host a "Coalition of the Willing" summit in Kyiv on March 24th. The meeting's primary objective is to publicly reaffirm their unified resolve to bolster support for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russian invasion.

The summit comes at a critical juncture, with Ukraine facing intense Russian bombardments and urgently seeking further assistance from its allies. French President Emmanuel Macron's office announced the meeting, emphasizing that it will underscore the leaders' determination to help Kyiv defend itself. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend, alongside European Council President Charles Michel and NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană. Some leaders will participate remotely.

According to a statement from the French presidency, the leaders will discuss ways to enhance support for Ukraine's defense capabilities and condemn Russia's full-scale invasion. A key focus will be on developing joint measures to restrict Russia's access to war resources, including targeting "shadow fleet" oil tankers that are allegedly circumventing EU sanctions. The timing of the meeting is also significant, falling shortly before Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union.

This gathering of European powers in the Ukrainian capital signals a strong diplomatic front against Russian aggression. It highlights a continued commitment from key NATO and EU members to provide sustained military, financial, and political support to Ukraine. The discussions are expected to address both immediate needs for military aid and longer-term strategies for Ukraine's security and reconstruction.