The leaders of the Coalition of the Willing convened today in
Kyiv and by video conference to commemorate the 35th anniversary
of the restoration of the Independence of Ukraine. They were
united in their continued support of Ukraine's fight to defend
its sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity. Prime
Minister Andy , President Emmanuel Macron and
Chancellor Friedrich Merz chaired the meeting alongside President
Zelenskyy.
The leaders condemned Russia's systematic and escalating strikes
against Ukraine's cities, critical infrastructure and civilians,
causing the highest number of civilian casualties since the
beginning of the full scale invasion in 2022, and damaging a
children's hospital in Kyiv the previous week. They also
condemned Russia's attacks on Ukraine's cultural heritage sites,
which form an integral part of Ukraine's national identity,
including the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Leaders reiterated Ukraine's clear and inherent right to defend
itself against the Russian war of aggression, in full compliance
with international law and Article 51 of the UN Charter, and
confirmed that they would not be deterred from their support for
Ukraine by irresponsible Russian threats. They expressed their
determination to increase military support to Ukraine, strengthen
its air defence as a matter of urgent priority, enhance
cooperation with its defence industry, and share relevant
technologies, including through the Anti-Ballistic Missile
Coalition. They also committed to ratchet up sanctions on
Russia's military industrial complex and those supporting it.
Leaders also agreed on the urgency of providing immediate
assistance for Ukraine's energy sector ahead of the upcoming
winter, including through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and
provision of specialist equipment. They emphasised the need to
continue to support Ukraine's economic resilience in the face of
Russia's intensified attempts to renew their maritime blockade on
Ukraine's ports.
The leaders agreed to continue efforts to constrain Russia's war
chest through the use of sanctions, wider economic measures, and
clamping down on sanctions circumvention and Russia's Shadow
Fleet. This joint action to date has deprived Russia's war chest
of at least $495 billion since February 2022. The leaders
welcomed the US Senate's efforts to apply further economic
pressure on Russia, and committed to working closely with the US
over the coming months on coordinated action to drain Russia's
means to continue its illegal war.
The leaders commended President Zelenskyy's continued readiness
to enter into meaningful peace talks, in order to bring about a
comprehensive, just and lasting peace, and reiterated their call
for Russia to agree to a full, immediate and unconditional
ceasefire starting from the line of contact.
The Coalition would continue to prepare the Multinational-Force
Ukraine to deploy once a credible cessation of hostilities was in
place, as part of a wider set of robust politically and legally
binding security guarantees to ensure Ukraine's future security
and prosperity once a ceasefire enters into force.
Concluding, the leaders once again reaffirmed their commitment to
support Ukraine's independence, as part of Europe's wider peace
and security. They offered President Zelenskyy and the people of
Ukraine their steadfast solidarity today on the 35th anniversary
of the restoration of Independence, and every day, for as long as
it takes.
