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Leaders of the Coalition of the Willing agreed to expand military support for Ukraine during a summit in Paris, France, on July 13, 2026, announcing new initiatives to strengthen Ukraine’s air and missile defenses, deepen defense-industrial cooperation, and advance long-term security planning.

The summit was co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and leaders and representatives from about 30 participating countries.

The meeting built on commitments made during the recent NATO Summit in Ankara. It focused on accelerating military assistance to Ukraine while laying the groundwork for future security guarantees and defense cooperation.

In a joint statement following the summit, the coalition reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense and increasing pressure on Russia’s war effort while continuing preparations for long-term security guarantees.

According to the French presidency, discussions centered on expanding military assistance, strengthening Europe’s defense industrial base, coordinating sanctions efforts, including measures targeting Russia’s so-called “ghost fleet,” and advancing operational planning for a durable peace in Ukraine.

The Coalition of the Willing. pic.twitter.com/sU3zaDK3Ao

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 13, 2026

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said continued support for Ukraine remains one of the alliance’s highest priorities.
Rutte noted that NATO allies pledged $82 billion in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine in 2026 and committed to providing at least the same level of support in 2027.

NATO Secretary General Rutte also urged allies to increase contributions to Ukraine’s air and missile defense capabilities and expand cooperation with the country’s defense industry.

France Announces Major Defense Package

One of the summit’s most significant announcements came from French President Macron, who unveiled a comprehensive defense cooperation roadmap between France and Ukraine.

The agreement includes Ukraine’s acquisition of an initial batch of 16 Dassault Rafale multirole fighter aircraft, together with their accompanying weapons systems, marking the first phase of a broader program under which Kyiv plans to procure up to 100 Rafale fighters.

Macron said the first aircraft could begin flying in Ukrainian service as early as 2028 or 2029, while pilot and maintenance personnel training will begin in the coming months. France will also supply missiles, radar systems, and additional ammunition to strengthen Ukraine’s immediate air defense capabilities.

Alongside the aircraft, the roadmap includes delivery of the first batch of SAMP/T NG next-generation air defense batteries, which will complement systems already scheduled for delivery in the coming weeks.

France and Italy will also accelerate deliveries of Aster 30 interceptor missiles, while France will provide additional radar systems, including a GF300 radar and several GM400 long-range surveillance radars over the next two years.

Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition Launched

A key outcome of the Paris meeting was the formal launch of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition, an initiative designed to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend against increasing Russian ballistic missile attacks.

The coalition held its inaugural meeting before the leaders’ summit and was attended by Macron, Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Participating countries agreed to coordinate resources, industrial capabilities, and technological expertise to accelerate the development of advanced anti-ballistic missile systems for Ukraine.

The initiative, known as FREYJA, seeks to develop a new integrated air and missile defense capability centered on a Ukrainian-developed interceptor while bringing together defense industries from across Europe.

Today, we also held a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. We are not merely maintaining this format. Within the Coalition, we are moving toward the point when we will be able to say that peace is drawing closer. And it is precisely our cooperation here in Europe, together… pic.twitter.com/bXRnVwieB6

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 13, 2026

Macron said Ukraine faces urgent anti-ballistic defense requirements as Russia has intensified its use of ballistic missiles against Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.m”Ukraine has immediate needs, particularly in the anti-ballistic area,” Macron said.

Defense Industrial Cooperation Expands

Beyond military aid, coalition members emphasized strengthening Ukraine’s domestic defense industry through expanded industrial partnerships.

France approved licensing agreements allowing production in Ukraine of the AASM precision-guided bomb kit, SCALP air-launched cruise missile, and Aster 30 interceptor used by the SAMP/T air defense system.

The agreements are intended to help Ukraine build long-term production capacity while reducing dependence on foreign deliveries of critical munitions.

Coalition leaders said closer cooperation between European defense companies and Ukrainian industry would improve production capacity, speed deliveries and enhance Ukraine’s ability to sustain military operations.

Bulgaria Declines Participation

While the coalition continued to expand defense cooperation, not all European countries chose to participate. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said Bulgaria has “no place” in the Coalition of the Willing and declined an invitation from Macron to attend the Paris summit. “I don’t believe Bulgaria’s place is in the coalition of the willing,” Radev said.

He said Bulgaria does not support providing additional military assistance to Ukraine and instead favors diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

“We’re not part of a coalition pushing for continued financial and military aid to Ukraine,” he said, adding that Sofia believes the conflict should be resolved through diplomacy rather than prolonged through military means.

Radev noted that decisions affecting Bulgaria’s collective security are made through NATO and the European Union, where the country remains actively engaged.

The Paris meeting followed the NATO Summit held in Ankara last week, where allies reaffirmed their long-term support for Ukraine and pledged additional military assistance.

The Coalition of the Willing, which includes around 35 participating countries, has increasingly become a platform for coordinating military aid, industrial cooperation, and future security arrangements outside NATO’s formal command structure.

Leaders said the latest agreements demonstrate a shift from providing short-term military assistance toward helping Ukraine develop sustainable defense capabilities through modern aircraft, integrated air defenses, missile production and expanded defense industrial cooperation.

The initiatives announced in Paris are expected to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to counter ongoing Russian missile attacks while laying the foundation for a longer-term modernization of its armed forces and defense industry.