The video conference of the Alliance of the Willing, Kiev's allies, was completed after about two hours.

The group of European leaders, which aims to bring countries together to protect the peace agreement in Ukraine, has been joined by Volodymyr Zelensky from Brussels.

The meeting was chaired by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, with the participation of, among others, the leaders of Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany.

Our goal is to outline a strategy in view of President Zelensky's visit to Washington tomorrow, the French president stated characteristically.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski was the first to comment after the meeting ended on Sunday afternoon, stressing that pressure must be put on Russia.

I emphasized that for peace to come, pressure must be exerted on the aggressor, not the victim.

Zakpołylo się podkaniej zachodniej Koalicji Chętnych na rzecz Ukrainy przed jutrzejszymi rozmowami w Waszyngtonie. I underlined, że aby nastał pokój, trzeba wywrzeć nacisk na agresora a nie na ofiarę agresji.

— Radosław Sikorski 🇵🇱🇪🇺 (@sikorskiradek) August 17, 2025

Mitsotakis in the video conference

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated in the leaders' video conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, organized at the initiative of France.

During the video conference, the leaders were briefed on the results of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Greece remains steadfast in its permanent positions on the need for an immediate ceasefire and the importance of security guarantees and American participation in them. Regarding issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity, only Ukraine can make decisions.

Zelensky's first message

It is vital that Europe remains as united as it was in 2022, said Volodymyr Zelensky

After the meeting of the coalition of the willing, the Ukrainian president published a message on social media:

Today in Brussels, I outlined our positions on transatlantic unity, peace efforts, territorial issues and security guarantees, including Ukraine's accession to the EU. It is vital that Europe remains as united as it was in 2022. This strong unity is essential to achieving real peace.

What was discussed?

According to a Commission spokesperson, the leaders had a positive exchange of views to coordinate ahead of tomorrow's meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Security guarantees, as well as the territorial issue, were raised during the videoconference. According to the Commission's briefing to journalists, the discussions focused on key issues, such as the need to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine, the commitment to maintain full pressure on Russia through sanctions, the principle that Ukraine is the one who makes decisions on its territory, and the crucial issue of strong security guarantees that protect the vital security interests of Ukraine and Europe. This was also an opportunity for leaders to reaffirm their unity in supporting Ukraine towards a just and lasting peace.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who had a bilateral meeting in Brussels, recently departed for the United States.

Transatlantic unity is vital

Unity between Europe and the United States is vital to achieving lasting peace for Ukraine, European Council President Antonio Costa said today.

As I emphasized during today's meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, if a ceasefire is not agreed, the EU and the US must increase pressure on Russia, Costa added in a message to X.

Ukraine must receive guarantees

European leaders have agreed that Ukraine must receive security guarantees in order for further talks to end the war with Russia to take place, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Tuesday.

The Coalition of the Willing's video conference was important for coordination ahead of tomorrow's meeting at the White House, he wrote in X.

We agreed that the immediate priority must be to put an end to the killings and that clear security guarantees for Ukraine from the United States and Europe will be absolutely essential for further negotiations.

Some form of ceasefire is needed

There must be some form of ceasefire to make it possible to start peace talks on Ukraine, a Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman said today.

Any form of cessation, ceasefire or demarcation of fire is, according to the Coalition of the Willing, a prerequisite for the start of any peace talks, Pavel Vronsky told reporters.

Who will accompany Zelensky to Washington?

European leaders and NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, will accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his meeting tomorrow, Monday, August 18, with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

In an announcement today at noon, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that she will travel to Washington to take part in the meeting that comes in the wake of Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

French President Emmanuel Macron will also be present at the meeting.

The President of the Republic will travel to Washington tomorrow together with President Zelensky and several European leaders to continue coordination between Europeans and the US with the aim of achieving a just and sustainable peace that will safeguard Ukraine's vital interests and European security, the French presidency announced.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington tomorrow, government spokesman Stefan Cornelius announced, clarifying that the trip will serve as an exchange of information with US President Donald Trump after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Chancellor Merz will discuss the state of peace efforts with the heads of state and government and underline Germany's interest in a rapid peace agreement in Ukraine. The talks will deal, among other things, with security guarantees, territorial issues and continued support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. This includes maintaining the pressure of sanctions, the same statement said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will also travel to Washington, Downing Street announced today.

At the meeting to be held tomorrow at the White House, the Prime Minister, together with other European partners, is ready to support this next phase of further talks and will confirm that his support for Ukraine will continue for as long as necessary, according to a statement.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finnish President Alexander Stubb will also travel to the US for the meeting.

The agenda for tomorrow's meeting

Security guarantees for Ukraine, territorial issues and the procedures to be followed will be the central issues of the talks to be held tomorrow at the White House, according to government sources cited by public broadcaster ARD. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's stay in the US capital is also expected to last only a few hours.

According to the ARD report, Friedrich Merz will arrive at the White House at noon on Monday and his return flight is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. (local time). Initially, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will hold private talks with US President Donald Trump, followed by extended talks with European leaders.

The meeting's agenda will include security guarantees, territorial issues and procedural issues, such as whether a ceasefire is necessary before peace agreement negotiations. These are also the main topics of discussion in the ongoing Prothymna video conference.

Foreign Minister Johann Vandeful, for his part, said that Chancellor Merz's trip to Washington demonstrates how seriously the German government takes efforts for a peaceful solution in Ukraine. Germany is consciously taking a leading role here. We know that we are in critical days of negotiations and we will devote the full weight of our foreign policy to ensuring that it is a good week for Ukraine. We will not leave President Zelensky alone on this difficult path of negotiations, but will defend international law with him, Mr. Vandeful said earlier today, shortly before departing for his trip to Asia.

The Chancellor's participation in tomorrow's talks at the White House was also welcomed by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) foreign policy expert Normwoert Roettgen, in a statement to the Rheinische Post.

Trump's new message

Great progress with Russia, stay tuned.

The US president, however, did not provide further details.