{"id":32870,"date":"2025-11-27T07:59:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T05:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=32870"},"modified":"2025-11-27T07:59:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T05:59:35","slug":"european-leaders-and-top-us-diplomat-attend-virtual-coalition-of-the-willing-meeting-to-discuss-ukraine-peace-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/european-leaders-and-top-us-diplomat-attend-virtual-coalition-of-the-willing-meeting-to-discuss-ukraine-peace-process\/","title":{"rendered":"European leaders and top US diplomat attend virtual Coalition of the Willing meeting to discuss Ukraine peace process"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

6 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaders of the Coalition of the Willing met on November 25, 2025, in a virtual session co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting brought together Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, senior officials from 35 countries, the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission, the NATO Secretary General, and, joining for the first time, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gathering followed renewed diplomatic activity by the United States and its allies to secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukraine\u2019s President Zelenskyy and U.S. Secretary of State Rubio briefed participants on the peace discussions held in Geneva on November 23. Leaders expressed \u201cunwavering support to Ukraine and for a just and lasting peace, that the people of Ukraine fully deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They condemned Russia\u2019s large-scale overnight attacks, which struck residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, and extended condolences to those affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Peace Talks Reviewed and Support Reaffirmed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The leaders reiterated support for U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s ongoing efforts to end the war. According to a statement from Prime Minister Starmer\u2019s office, officials \u201cunderlined that any solution must fully involve Ukraine, preserve its sovereignty, be in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter, and guarantee its long-term security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They emphasized that borders must not be altered by force, calling this principle essential for stability in Europe and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Virtual<\/a>
Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending the virtual session of the meeting of the Leaders of the Coalition of the Willing on November 25, 2025. (Image Credit: X\/@ZelenskyyUa)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The talks in Geneva were described as showing \u201cmeaningful progress,\u201d with both Ukraine and the United States viewing the meeting as a significant step forward. Leaders also welcomed assurances that matters involving European and NATO interests would be handled separately, with full involvement of European partners and NATO allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this sentiment, saying after the call that \u201cin recent days and hours, we have seen solid and encouraging progress.\u201d She stressed the need for strong transatlantic cooperation, adding that such coordination \u201cdelivers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Security Guarantees and Frozen Russian Assets<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major focus of the meeting was long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Macron said the \u201cabsolute condition for a good peace is a set of very robust security guarantees and not paper guarantees,\u201d noting Ukraine\u2019s history of \u201cpromises that were shattered by successive Russian aggressions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Coalition reaffirmed that a future peace must be backed by a credible framework capable of deterring further Russian attacks. Leaders instructed their military authorities to accelerate joint planning with the United States, building on months of preparatory work within the Coalition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discussions also centered on financing Ukraine\u2019s reconstruction and defense needs. European officials stressed the urgency of securing long-term funding, including through the \u201cfull value of immobilized Russian sovereign assets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Von der Leyen noted that the use of frozen Russian assets had become a central point of the EU\u2019s support for Ukraine. Macron told reporters that France and other European partners would intensify work \u201cin the coming days\u201d to channel frozen Russian assets into financial assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"President<\/a>
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Ukraine’s Denys Shmyhal holding EU and Ukraine flags in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 25, 2025. (Image Credit: X\/Magnus Brunner)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

European states have been exploring a loan mechanism backed by frozen Russian assets without undermining trust in the banking system or leaving individual countries liable for the funds. President Zelenskyy has also urged allies to \u201cfinally channel frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine\u2019s protection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Military Reassurance Force and Deployment Scenarios<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macron stated that France, the UK, or Turkiye could send troops to Ukraine as part of a \u201creassurance force\u201d once a peace deal is signed. He emphasized that such a deployment would not be under NATO command but rather conducted by an \u201cintergovernmental coalition,\u201d addressing Russian objections to NATO military presence in Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zelenskyy has asked partners to develop \u201ca doable framework for the deployment of the reassurance force to Ukraine of the Coalition of the Willing by signing a relevant memorandum.\u201d Discussions on this framework formed part of the 25 November session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


US Deepens Diplomatic Engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio\u2019s presence marked Washington\u2019s enhanced role in the Coalition. His participation was welcomed by EU leaders, with von der Leyen noting the importance of transatlantic unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting took place against the backdrop of active U.S. diplomacy. On November 24, U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll traveled to Abu Dhabi for negotiations with Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and a Russian delegation, a visit confirmed by his spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Tolbert. These talks followed earlier negotiations in Geneva involving U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United States\u2019 initial peace proposal, containing a 28-point framework, sparked controversy in Washington, European capitals, and Kyiv, with critics arguing it offered excessive concessions to Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"U.S.<\/a>
U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll sit before closed-door talks with Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak (not pictured) on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, at the U.S. Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 23, 2025. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Emma Farge)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

However, leaders at the 25 November meeting said recent exchanges had brought all parties closer to a viable structure for future talks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Escalation by Russia Underscores Security Concerns<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As diplomatic activity intensified, Russia escalated attacks on Kyiv and launched drones and missiles that violated Moldovan and Romanian airspace on the night of 24\u201325 November. Von der Leyen said the strikes were \u201cyet another reminder that Ukraine\u2019s security is Europe\u2019s security. Ukraine\u2019s interests are our interests. They are inseparable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that EU sanctions continued to have a \u201csignificant impact\u201d on the Russian economy, limiting resources available for Moscow\u2019s war effort. \u201cSince pressure remains the only language Russia responds to,\u201d she said, \u201cwe will continue to increase it until there is a genuine willingness to engage on a credible path toward peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Coalition Commitment Remains Firm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Coalition\u2019s statement emphasized that financial and military support to Ukraine will continue \u201cas long as Russia refuses to engage on the path toward a just and lasting peace.\u201d Leaders agreed that only sustained pressure, combined with credible security guarantees and robust international backing, can create the conditions for a durable resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest meeting reaffirmed the unity of Ukraine\u2019s allies. It highlighted the deepening coordination between European partners and the United States as diplomatic, economic, and military efforts converge toward a comprehensive peace framework.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Leaders<\/a>
Leaders of France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine met in Kyiv, Ukraine for Coalition of the Willing meeting, on May 10, 2025. (Image Credit: X\/@ZelenskyyUa)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Leaders of the Coalition of the Willing met in a virtual session co-chaired by French President Macron, UK Prime Minister Starmer, and German Chancellor Merz. The meeting brought together Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and senior officials from 35 countries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32879,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[62,1,125],"tags":[75,24,357,64,53,59,49,71,20,7,61,22,365,128],"class_list":["post-32870","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-news","category-united-states","tag-conflict","tag-eu","tag-europe","tag-france","tag-germany","tag-nato","tag-peace","tag-politics","tag-russia","tag-u-s","tag-uk","tag-ukraine","tag-united-kingdom","tag-war"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ukraine-Zelenskyy-video-conference-with-European-leaders.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-8ya","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32870","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32870"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32870\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32883,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32870\/revisions\/32883"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32879"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32870"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32870"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}