Ukraine's Coalition of the Willing: A Quest for Security

Ukraine is poised to host an important gathering of European leaders from the 'coalition of the willing' this Saturday, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. This coalition, spearheaded by France and Britain, highlights Europe's concern over reduced U.S. support for Ukraine amidst its prolonged conflict with Russia.

President Zelenskiy emphasized the necessity for a robust coalition that can ensure security based on a shared vision. However, progress on defining Europe's role in providing post-war security assurances remains challenging, given the distant prospect of a ceasefire and the uncertainty of U.S. ally support.

The coalition is contemplating deploying a limited foreign contingent to Ukraine as part of the security guarantees. Zelenskiy conveyed to U.S. President Donald Trump that a proposed 30-day ceasefire could demonstrate progress towards peace. While Ukraine accepted the proposal initiated by Trump, Russia insists on monitoring mechanisms before implementation. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz is among the leaders expected to visit Ukraine soon.

(With inputs from agencies.)