Who Will Join Europe’s ‘Coalition of the Willing’ to Help Ukraine?

Britain and France are rallying behind a bold initiative, pledging to form a “coalition of the willing” aimed at securing a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. But the big question hanging in the air? How many nations will actually sign on—and does Russia even care?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain, speaking after a summit in London on Sunday, left the specifics a bit blurry. He acknowledged that “not every nation will feel able to contribute,” though he seemed hopeful that enough would join to send a clear message to President Trump (yes, Trump is still a player in this saga) that Europe is ready to take the lead.

The backdrop to all this is a thorny one. The United States seems laser-focused on striking its own deal with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia—bypassing Europe and Ukraine entirely, and without offering any security guarantees. If that sounds like a geopolitical tightrope act, it absolutely is.

Starmer positioned his coalition as just one part of a broader strategy. The plan includes continued military aid to bolster Ukraine’s battlefield position, ensuring Kyiv has a seat at the table in any peace talks, and strengthening Ukraine’s defenses post-settlement. The coalition would play a key role in this last piece of the puzzle.

So, who’s likely to join this coalition? Besides Britain and France, northern European nations like Denmark and the Netherlands seem like obvious contenders. They’ve been steadfast financial supporters of Ukraine and have experience in other NATO-led campaigns, such as Afghanistan. And let’s not forget Germany, which ranks as the second-largest provider of military and other aid to Ukraine, right after the U.S.

In the meantime, the clock is ticking, and Europe faces a pivotal moment. The stakes couldn’t be higher as leaders try to balance diplomacy, military strategy, and the ever-complex web of international relations.

Image Credit: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times