Ukraine hosts coalition of the willing on 35th independence anniversary

On August 24, 2026, marking the 35th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union, Ukraine hosted a summit of the 'Coalition of the Willing' to address urgent security needs. Amid ongoing military pressure and intensified Russian ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, which have caused numerous civilian casualties, Ukrainian leadership requested additional air defense systems to protect its airspace, specifically noting the reliance on Patriot systems.

The summit was co-chaired by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, marking Burnham's first official trip abroad. President of the European Council Antonio Costa attended in person, while other leaders, including Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, participated via videoconference to affirm their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and European efforts to prepare the country for the upcoming winter. The coalition, comprised of over 30 nations, expressed unified determination to continue support for Ukraine four and a half years after the conflict began on February 24, 2022.