Frankfurt (Germany), 24 Aug. (LaPresse) – The leaders of the Coalition of the Willing, meeting today in Kyiv and via video conference to mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence, reaffirmed their support for Kyiv and announced their intention to step up military support and economic pressure on Russia. The meeting was co-chaired by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took part in the meeting via video link. According to a statement, the leaders “condemned Russia’s systematic and escalating attacks on Ukrainian cities, critical infrastructure and civilians”, which have resulted in “the highest number of civilian casualties since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022”. They also condemned the attacks on Ukrainian cultural heritage, “an integral part of Ukraine’s national identity”, including the Kyiv Caves Monastery. The Coalition reaffirmed “Ukraine’s clear and inherent right to defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression, in full compliance with international law and Article 51 of the United Nations Charter”. The leaders also confirmed that they would not allow themselves to be “deterred from supporting Ukraine by irresponsible Russian threats”. “We have expressed our determination to increase military support for Ukraine, to urgently strengthen its air defence, to intensify cooperation with its defence industry and to share relevant technologies,” the statement reads, also referring to the Ballistic Missile Defence Coalition. The leaders also pledged to “tighten sanctions against the Russian military-industrial complex and those who support it”. They also agreed to exert greater pressure on Moscow’s ‘war chest’ through sanctions, economic measures and efforts to combat sanctions evasion and Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’. “This joint action has so far deprived the Russian war chest of at least $495 billion since February 2022,” the statement reads. The Coalition also emphasised the urgency of providing immediate assistance to Ukraine’s energy sector ahead of winter, including through the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine and the supply of specialist equipment. The leaders reiterated the need to support Kyiv’s economic resilience in the face of Russian attempts to renew the naval blockade of Ukrainian ports. The leaders then welcomed the US Senate’s efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia and pledged to work closely with Washington in the coming months to “coordinate actions aimed at drying up Russia’s means of continuing its illegal war”.
Ukraine, Volenterosi: ‘Increase military support for Kyiv and sanctions against Moscow’
Frankfurt (Germany), 24 Aug. (LaPresse) – The leaders of the Coalition of the Willing, meeting today in Kyiv and via video conference to mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence, reaffirmed their support for Kyiv and announced their intention to step up military support and economic pressure on Russia. The meeting was co-chaired by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took part in the meeting via video link. According to a statement, the leaders “condemned Russia’s systematic and escalating attacks on Ukrainian cities, critical infrastructure and civilians”, which have resulted in “the highest number of civilian casualties since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022”. They also condemned the attacks on Ukrainian cultural heritage, “an integral part of Ukraine’s national identity”, including the Kyiv Caves Monastery. The Coalition reaffirmed “Ukraine’s clear and inherent right to defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression, in full compliance with international law and Article 51 of the United Nations Charter”. The leaders also confirmed that they would not allow themselves to be “deterred from supporting Ukraine by irresponsible Russian threats”. “We have expressed our determination to increase military support for Ukraine, to urgently strengthen its air defence, to intensify cooperation with its defence industry and to share relevant technologies,” the statement reads, also referring to the Ballistic Missile Defence Coalition. The leaders also pledged to “tighten sanctions against the Russian military-industrial complex and those who support it”. They also agreed to exert greater pressure on Moscow’s ‘war chest’ through sanctions, economic measures and efforts to combat sanctions evasion and Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’. “This joint action has so far deprived the Russian war chest of at least $495 billion since February 2022,” the statement reads. The Coalition also emphasised the urgency of providing immediate assistance to Ukraine’s energy sector ahead of winter, including through the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine and the supply of specialist equipment. The leaders reiterated the need to support Kyiv’s economic resilience in the face of Russian attempts to renew the naval blockade of Ukrainian ports. The leaders then welcomed the US Senate’s efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia and pledged to work closely with Washington in the coming months to “coordinate actions aimed at drying up Russia’s means of continuing its illegal war”.