Various leaders commented on the most recent Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris, with no real surprises.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó responded to developments from the meeting held in Paris to discuss further support and plans for Ukraine to help the war-torn country beat back Russia.
“Yesterday in Paris, the Coalition of the Willing made yet another proposal that pushes Europe closer to a direct confrontation with Russia. By seeking to establish a military presence in Ukraine, Western European countries are creating the risk of a direct war with Russia,” he posted on X.
“Hungary will stay out of this. We support peace talks, including negotiations at the highest level between the U.S. and Russia, and firmly reject this latest move towards war.”
Earlier, the presidents of France and Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky, met at the Élysée Palace, notes Do Rzeczy.
Following the summit, Macron, Zelensky, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed their own separate memorandum regarding the deployment of multinational forces following a ceasefire agreement.
Zelensky later posted on X: “We all understand how wars like this one – Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine – come to an end. When pressure is strong enough to exhaust the source of the war, peace comes. That pressure exists now, and the EU plays a key role in maintaining it. And I thank you for your willingness to help.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also confirmed her support for Ukraine, although this will not include sending troops to Ukrainian territory.
French President Macron posted as well: “The Paris meeting marks an unprecedented unity between the Coalition of Volunteers, Ukraine, and the United States on the central dimension of security guarantees for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
Poland was represented at the Paris Summit by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
“It’s obviously too early to make overly optimistic pronouncements. Peace requires, above all, a positive decision by the aggressor to end hostilities. But precisely to exert effective pressure on the Russian aggressor, it is necessary to clarify, step by step, the position of the United States, the European Union, and other countries associated in the Coalition of the Willing,” said the Polish prime minister.
“As I have repeatedly emphasized, Poland is ready and will certainly carry out all logistics-related tasks. Our partners do not expect the presence of Polish troops in Ukraine under any scenario. However, Poland’s participation in securing the actions of countries supporting Ukraine will be significant. Poland will be—and here I will be somewhat indiscreet—the leading country when it comes to these logistical and organizational matters,” the Tusk stated.
