Macron to lead "coalition of willing" in Paris on Ukraine war anniversary

French President Emmanuel Macron will convene a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” in Paris on February 24 to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as more than 30 countries seek to strengthen coordinated support for Kyiv.

The gathering aims to advance joint military efforts designed to guarantee peace in Ukraine. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot outlined the objectives ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on February 23, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

“Tomorrow in Paris, the President of the Republic will convene the Coalition of the Willing to push forward even further the historic work done by more than 30 countries, uniting their military forces so that the peace achieved in Ukraine can be guaranteed,” Barrot said.

According to Barrot, four years into the war, the outcome for the Kremlin’s leader, Vladimir Putin, amounts to a “bitter and humiliating failure.” He argued that Russian forces now control less than half of the territories seized in spring 2022 and described Moscow’s recent battlefield gains as “meager and achieved at the cost of significant human losses.”

“Since the start of the war, Russia has lost more than a million people, exceeding the total losses of Russia and the USSR since 1945. And today on the front, Vladimir Putin and his army are losing about 1,000 people per day,” Barrot said.

He added that Russia’s economy is in recession and that the state budget is under strain, with reports of fuel rationing in some regions and restrictions on mobile communications and access to certain services.

Barrot emphasized that international partners will continue to back Ukraine while intensifying pressure on Moscow. “The 20th sanctions package is ready; the question is not whether it will be adopted, it will be adopted — that is certain — but when it will happen. And from this standpoint, everyone must uphold their commitments,” he said.

By Vafa Guliyeva