French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv this morning.
The meeting of the ‘coalition of the willing’ is a step toward navigating the post-war future in Ukraine, including potential peacekeeping forces and ongoing aid. Starmer announced that the UK would increase military aid to Ukraine, alongside a US increase, if Russia refuses a ceasefire.
For the first time, new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is part of the group, having recently secured enough votes in the Bundestag. Merz, the head of the Christian Democratic Party, is seen as more supportive of Ukraine than his Social Democratic predecessor Olaf Scholz. Merz has indicated a willingness to provide Ukraine with German-made Taurus missiles, something Scholz was unwilling to do.
The meeting in Kyiv is an important show of support for Ukraine and comes at a critical moment. While Ukraine has agreed to US ceasefire proposals, Russia continues to refuse, and now even US President Donald Trump, who has long preferred pressuring Ukraine to pressuring Russia, is saying he will hit Russia with sanctions if they continue to be obstinate.
As Ukraine fights for survival, the resolve of the free world to support Ukraine appears to be holding, having withstood years of Russian propaganda narratives aimed at our own citizens.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney participated virtually in the meeting and expressed that Canada would continue to support Ukraine alongside our allies.
Spencer Fernando
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