Paris Summit: Joint Military Maneuvers and Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition for Ukraine

World Desk · 14 July 2026 at 02:22 · 30s summary · 3 min read

What we know

On July 14, 2026, Emmanuel Macron announced, at the conclusion of a summit in Paris, joint military maneuvers by the Coalition of the Willing in countries bordering Ukraine over the coming months. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit, according to Zeit.de.

The Coalition of the Willing—a group of European nations volunteering to support Ukraine's security, launched in March 2025 at the London summit—now has a multinational force declared operational. According to the summit's final declaration, this force must demonstrate its capabilities for deployment after hostilities end, to secure Ukrainian airspace and territorial waters and support Ukrainian forces in peacetime.

Macron also confirmed the delivery of weapons systems to Ukraine.

A ten-nation anti-ballistic missile defense coalition

Ten nations—France, Germany, Ukraine, Italy, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Britain—announced a new anti-ballistic missile defense coalition. The stated objective is to "build a common capacity against ballistic missiles in Europe."

The joint declaration clarifies that the initiative aims to defend the populations of the signatory nations and is not directed against other states. The ten nations intend to pool their defense industries, research, and operational experience.

Leaders' positions

Strong anti-ballistic missile defense capabilities are decisive for ending Russia's war against Ukraine.

— Volodymyr Zelensky, Paris summit, July 14, 2026

Zelensky added that the more ballistic missiles Ukraine can shoot down, the greater the chances that Vladimir Putin will come to the negotiating table.

Friedrich Merz made no mention of the multinational force or the maneuvers in his remarks. He said the coalition is ready to play an "important role" in security guarantees for Ukraine after a ceasefire, in close cooperation with the United States. The government and the Bundestag will decide the nature and scope of Germany's contribution.

Context

The Coalition of the Willing is an initiative made public on March 2, 2025, at the London summit on Ukraine, at the initiative of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Its aim is to strengthen European support for Ukraine and establish a framework for lasting peace. As of early 2026, it comprises 35 states, according to Wikipedia.