A coalition of Ukrainian allies agreed Saturday to keep the “collective pressure” on Russia to accept President Trump’s ceasefire proposal, as they vowed to protect the embattled nation “on the land, at sea, and in the sky” once a deal is reached.
The leaders of 26 countries – dubbed the “coalition of the willing” — took part in a virtual summit led by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the group plans to move toward an “operational phase” to secure a ceasefire.
“President Trump has offered Putin the way forward to a lasting peace,” Starmer said after the meeting, which included leaders from Europe, Australia, Canada and New Zealand — but not the US. “Now we must make this a reality.”
“Sooner or later Putin will have to come to the table,” he added.
The coalition will meet again in Britain on Thursday to put forward plans to ensure Ukraine’s security should a peace deal be hammered out.
Starmer vowed the group will “help secure Ukraine on the land, at sea, and in the sky” and keep pressuring Russia with sanctions.
The Trump administration has long called for European nations to help shoulder the burden for the conflict in Ukraine and provide plans on post-war support.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US envoy Steve Witkoff Thursday to discuss a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, which Kyiv has already backed.
Putin said he supports a truce in principle but had a laundry list of conditions he says must be met before the fighting stops.
Among them, he wants Ukraine to drop its ambitions to join NATO, shrink the size of its army and hand over the four territories Russia has annexed — all of which Kyiv has refused.
At a press conference Saturday, Zelensky said the question of territory was “complicated” and should be dealt with later.
He pressed allies to give a “clear position” on security guarantees and said Russia was working to gain a “stronger position” militarily before agreeing to a ceasefire.
Afterwards, Zelensky told the European leaders on X, “the path to peace must begin unconditionally. If Russia doesn’t want this, then strong pressure must be applied until they do.”
“A cease-fire could have already happened, but Russia is doing everything to prevent it,” he added.
Trump expressed optimism Friday after US envoy Steve Witkoff held productive ceasefire talks in Moscow the day before, saying there was a “very good chance” the war could finally come to an end.
Ukraine and Russia, meanwhile, ratcheted up aerial assaults overnight Saturday, exchanging hundreds of drones that caused extensive damage in both territories.
Russia attacked Ukrainian energy facilities and knocked out electricity for residents in two cities, according to officials.
Falling drone debris in southwestern Russia sparked a fire near an oil refinery, causing nearby airports to temporarily halt flights, according to reports.
With Post wires
