World

Macron convenes 37-nation coalition in Paris, announces peacekeeping force for Ukraine

Herz — World Desk · 13 July 2026 at 22:44 · 30s summary · 3 min read

The essentials

On July 13, 2026, in Paris, Emmanuel Macron brought together 37 members of the Coalition of the Willing—an informal support format for Ukraine established outside NATO—alongside approximately 20 heads of state and government alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The coalition announced that a multinational peacekeeping force for Ukraine is now operational. European nations and Ukraine also established a new anti-missile defense alliance drawing on Ukraine's wartime operational experience, with Germany's participation. The meeting took place the day before July 14, France's national day.

37 members of the Coalition of the Willing gathered in Paris on July 13, 2026
Multinational peacekeeping force for Ukraine declared operational
New European anti-missile defense alliance founded with Ukraine and Germany
Approximately 20 heads of state present with Zelensky at the Invalides
Macron's final Bastille Day parade as president—the tenth and last of his term

Coalition des volontaires : Macron réunit 37 États à Paris et annonce une force de paix pour l'Ukraine — Lil Tabascan, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

What we know

On July 13, 2026, Emmanuel Macron brought together 37 members of the Coalition of the Willing—an informal diplomatic format of support for Ukraine, established outside NATO and EU structures—in the presence of approximately 20 heads of state and government before the Invalides, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the meeting.

At this meeting, the Coalition of the Willing announced that the multinational peacekeeping force—a deployable force designed to guarantee Ukraine's security, particularly in the event of a potential ceasefire—is now operational.

European nations and Ukraine also established a new anti-missile defense alliance. It is based on operational experience gained by Kyiv in real combat conditions. Germany participates in the initiative.

The meeting took place the day before July 14, 2026. On that day, Macron will preside over his tenth and final Bastille Day parade as President of the French Republic.

Context

The Coalition of the Willing was born from the London Summit on Ukraine on March 2, 2025, at the initiative of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in the presence of 18 world leaders. Its aim is to strengthen European support for Kyiv and establish a framework for sustainable peace.

The coalition's first meeting took place on April 10, 2025, at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The group had 35 members at the beginning of 2026 and brings together 37 in Paris on July 13, 2026.

This ad hoc format emerged in a context of political instability linked to shifts in U.S. policy. It allows sovereign nations to commit on a voluntary basis, free from institutional constraints of NATO or the EU.

The Paris meeting is part of the broader dynamic of support for Ukraine following Russia's large-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, launched by order of President Vladimir Putin.

Timeline

February 24, 2022
Beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine: the starting point for the process of forming coalitions of support for Kyiv.
March 2, 2025
London Summit on Ukraine: public launch of the Coalition of the Willing by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with 18 world leaders in attendance.
First meeting of the Coalition of the Willing at NATO headquarters in Brussels.