In Kyiv
The Coalition of the Willing met on Monday to discuss further support for Ukraine. Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden travelled to Kyiv for the occasion, joining state representatives from Moldova and Estonia, along with EU Council President Antonio Costa. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron joined via video link.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham made his first overseas trip since taking office to the war-torn country. The situation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his address, was currently a very difficult one for everyone involved. He called on his allies to give Ukraine everything it needed in order to bring the war to an end.
Russia has been attacking Ukraine on an almost daily basis with drones and missiles since the start of the war in February 2022. Last month was the deadliest for civilians in Ukraine since May 2022, according to the United Nations.
A visit to the cemetery in Kyiv had been hugely moving and emotional, the Luxembourg prime minister said. Seeing at the cemetery just how many young soldiers had died fighting for what he called "our freedom" brought home the point that freedom and sovereignty can never be taken for granted. Borders cannot be changed by force, Frieden said, warning that such a war could happen elsewhere if Ukraine does not win.
Further sanctions against Russia are set to be discussed, and security guarantees for Kyiv are also on the agenda. German Chancellor Merz and British PM Burnham, together with French President Macron leading the Coalition of the Willing, have both pledged further support for Ukraine.
Burnham was expected to announce his government's approval for European defence company MBDA to share classified information on British components used in Storm Shadow missiles. The decision will allow the French and Ukrainians to move forward with the assembly of these missiles in Ukraine.
Moscow condemned the move. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Britain was "systematically and regularly pouring oil on the fire" and plotting to prevent progress in the peace process. Russia would target production sites in Ukraine and "destroy" them, he added.
Burnham appeared undeterred: "Despite Russia's serious threats against my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine's defence."