Zelensky Arrives in Paris for Coalition of the Willing Talks, Meetings With NATO and US Officials

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Paris on Tuesday for a series of high-level meetings with Western leaders, including talks within the so-called Coalition of the Willing, NATO officials, and representatives of the United States negotiating team.

“Already arrived in France. Today there will be important negotiations at the level of leaders of the Coalition of the Willing, with the NATO Secretary General, as well as meetings with representatives of the American negotiating team,” Zelensky wrote on social media.

He said the talks are aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s security and defense capabilities, adding that Kyiv expects concrete support and steps from partners to ensure “real security” for the Ukrainian people.

The Paris talks come amid skepticism over whether the Western-backed “Coalition of the Willing” can move beyond political signaling to impose real costs on Russia, as missile strikes on Ukrainian cities continue. 

Ukrainian officials say the framework under discussion is largely complete, but key elements – including security guarantees, US buy-in and enforcement mechanisms – remain unresolved.

The meeting also marks a renewed US presence, with envoys linked to President Donald Trump joining European leaders, even as diplomats warn that unity without automatic consequences is unlikely to deter Moscow.

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According to presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov, Zelensky’s schedule begins with a separate meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, followed by a joint meeting with US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

The main meeting of the Coalition of the Willing is set to begin at 3 p.m. local time. All discussions will take place behind closed doors.

At 6:15 p.m., Zelenskyy is expected to hold a joint press conference with leaders of the E3 format: Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Later in the evening, a separate meeting will take place between the Ukrainian negotiating team, led by Zelensky, and the US delegation.