Meeting transpires among the coalition, dubbed as 'Willing Alliance', in the city of Kyiv

"Alliance of the Dedicated" gathers in Kiev

Get ready for an intriguing update on the ongoing Ukraine conflict! American President Selenskyy has just announced a gathering of the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" in Kyiv this Saturday. This coalition, key in Europe's security architecture, will bring together leaders from various countries, set to attend in the Ukrainian capital as per Selenskyy's statement in a video conference.

Let's take a look at some other significant happenings around the world:

Putin and Trump Strike Up a Greeting Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have exchanged pleasantries, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, as reported by Russian media outlets.
Imminent Ceasefire? US President Trump emphasized the urgency for an immediate 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, with Chancellor Merz joining the call and promising Russia stricter sanctions if it doesn't oblige. According to political scientist Klemens Fischer, a ceasefire could potentially materialize as early as next week.
Controversial Stalin Statue The pro-Kremlin Communist Party of Russia has set up a statue of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in the Russian-controlled southern Ukrainian city of Melitopol. This monument is the first of its kind in "Novorossiya," a term used by Moscow to denote the annexed sections of Ukraine.
Wadephul Stands Firm New German Chief Diplomat Wadephul views the meeting of EU foreign ministers in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, parallel to the Moscow military parade marking the victory over Nazi Germany, as a firm message to Russian President Putin. "We stand by Ukraine's side and remind that the Nazi regime, too, was defeated by Ukrainian soldiers," Wadephul said in Lviv.
Strack-Zimmermann's Perspective FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann advises against trusting Putin's narratives and highlights the importance of US support for the delivery of the Taurus system to Ukraine.
Defence Cooperation among EU Nations German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil advocates for enhanced cooperation among EU nations on defense requirements. This includes optimizing procurement processes to leverage the collective might of 27 European states investing more in defense.
Funding for Ukraine's Defense Industry The EU is allocating €1 billion from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities amidst the conflict. These funds will directly support Ukrainian defense companies, ensuring ongoing military assistance.
Russian Accusations of Attempted Border Infiltrations Russia alleges that Ukrainian forces have attempted border breaches in the Kursk and Belgorod regions. These claims are, however, disputed by Ukraine, which accuses Russia of repeated ceasefire violations.
The Case for a Special Tribunal Under the leadership of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, a group of European nations has announced plans to establish an international tribunal to hold Putin and other top Russian officials accountable for their actions in the Ukraine invasion.
Poland and France Team Up Poland and France are set to sign a mutual defense agreement. Details remain scarce, but the pact will provide assistance in case of military threats, and the two countries will also foster joint peace initiatives in Ukraine.
Putin and North Korean Generals Meet Russian President Putin has welcomed generals from North Korea during the Victory Day parade in Moscow. North Korea supports the Russian war effort with thousands of soldiers, and Putin and Kim Jong Un have confirmed this cooperation, albeit without providing exact numbers.
Threats and Sanctions from Merz German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has thrown down the gauntlet, threatening Russia with additional sanctions if it does not agree to a prolonged ceasefire and peace talks in Ukraine without delay.
Troubled Nord Stream 2 The heavily indebted Russian pipeline operator Nord Stream 2 AG can continue its search for an investor for the time being. A court in the Swiss canton of Zug approved the debt restructuring agreement, averting bankruptcy.
Germany and the EU in Lviv Dozens of top European diplomats, including several EU foreign ministers and the new German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, have traveled to Lviv to provide support to Ukraine. The group will discuss the current situation at the front and Ukraine's armament needs, while also laying a wreath in memory of the Ukrainians lost since the Russian invasion in 2022. The EU is providing €1 billion for Ukraine's defense industry.
Suspected Hungarian Spies Arrested Ukrainian security services claim to have discovered a Hungarian spy ring operating against Ukraine's interests. Two spies have been apprehended, with the alleged involvement of Hungary, a member of the European Union and NATO, as their controllers.
Secret Talks in Baku Reports suggest that German politicians, including Ralf Stegner (SPD), Matthias Platzeck (SPD), and Ronald Pofalla (CDU), have held meetings with Russian envoys in Baku. This confidential dialogue reportedly involved discussions on the revival of the Petersburg Dialogue, an initiative launched by former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

References

[1] Spiegel_
[2] ARAKON
[3] Bloomberg
[4] Deutsche Welle
[5] EURACTIV

Want to know more about the political landscape of the "Coalition of the Willing"? Check out our enrichment section for further insights on their current composition and purpose.

The forthcoming meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Kyiv, as announced by American President Selenskyy, promises to be an integral part of Europe's security architecture, as it gathers leaders from various nations moving forward in the Ukrainian capital.
As discussions on Ukraine's conflict continue, Germany's Foreign Minister, Wadephul, emphasizes the coalition meeting in Lviv as a firm message to Russian President Putin, highlighting Germany's unwavering support for Ukraine.
Aligned with the efforts of the Coalition of the Willing, the EU is allocating €1 billion from frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities, directly supporting Ukrainian defense companies.
In parallel to the coalition's objectives, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil advocates for enhanced cooperation among EU nations on defense requirements, aiming to optimize procurement processes and leverage the combined might of 27 European states investing more in defense.