Merz announces another meeting of Coalition of the Willing

This was announced by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who spoke at a briefing after the NATO summit in The Hague on June 25, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"At the initiative of several NATO states, another video conference of this so-called Coalition of the Willing will be held in the coming days," Merz said.

He added that assistance to Ukraine is coming and has been promised from many countries and regions around the world. In particular, he recalled his conversation on the sidelines of the summit with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, "who, from the other side of the world, also said that he is, of course, ready to make a financial contribution to the defense and assistance of Ukraine from New Zealand."

Noting that the summit did not adopt any decisions on Ukraine, such as specific commitments or a renewed pledge of membership, Merz assured that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (with whom he met immediately after the briefing) “knows that we do not need to adopt any new decisions here, but that we unconditionally support the war-torn country.” The summit, the Chancellor is convinced, was another significant sign of support, and in the final declaration all Allies pledged to continue supporting Ukraine, after all, increasing defense spending allows the Alliance to continue supporting not only its own armies, but also Ukraine.

“We agreed to provide Ukraine with 40 billion euros in 2024 and 2025. I hope that we can reach this level this year as well,” said the German Prime Minister, adding that commitments to help Ukraine are coordinated between NATO member states and beyond.

Regarding Ukraine's membership of the Alliance, Merz noted that it is not on NATO's agenda.

"This cannot even be on the agenda, because NATO does not accept member states that are currently waging war on their territory. So today there was absolutely no reason to go beyond what has already been decided and discuss it again," the German Chancellor added.

As reported, a NATO summit was held in The Hague, at which virtually one issue was agreed – an increase in defense spending by Allies.

Photo: X/Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz