Germany plans to convene Ukraine’s allies in Berlin on Nov. 19 to coordinate diplomacy and support, as Kyiv argues Europe needs greater weight in talks involving Russia and the United States.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host the Coalition of the Willing meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The German government said the agenda includes coordinating diplomatic efforts, discussing postwar security guarantees for Ukraine and continuing support for Kyiv.
In a Nov. 15 address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that simply adding Europe to a Ukraine-U.S.-Russia format would not meet his goal. He called for an arrangement substantially stronger than a four-party version, without setting out specific negotiating terms.
European Council President António Costa proposed a team involving EU institutions and representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom. The group would help coordinate Europe’s contribution to diplomacy alongside EU member states, the Council said. The proposal follows an earlier debate over the EU’s role in Ukraine peace efforts.
The diplomatic discussions follow a Nov. 10 meeting in Abu Dhabi attended by representatives of Ukraine, European partners and the United States, ahead of planned talks with Russia, the European Commission said. The Commission said participants supported security guarantees and called for any future settlement to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territory.
Germany’s government has framed its backing for Ukraine as a security issue, saying the war’s outcome will shape long-term security in Germany and Europe.
Zelensky also said a Ramstein-format meeting was expected the following week. He named air defense, missiles for Patriots and NASAMS systems, and expanded drone production as priorities, but gave no date. EU leaders are scheduled to discuss Ukraine’s financing needs for 2027 and beyond on Nov. 26-27, the European Council said.
