Coalition of the Willing
Mostly European group of states planning security guarantees for Ukraine.
Bulgaria left the Coalition of the Willing in July 2026. On 16 October, after drones sank ships off its Black Sea coast, it asked NATO for aircraft, air defence and counter-drone systems.
Last refreshed: 18 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What would the Coalition of the Willing send to Ukraine after a ceasefire?
Timeline for Coalition of the Willing
Mentioned in: Drones sink HS Dignity off Bulgaria
Russia-Ukraine War 2026Background
The Coalition of the Willing is a group of more than 30 mostly European states, led by the United Kingdom and France, that plans security guarantees for Ukraine once a Ceasefire holds. Keir Starmer announced it after the London summit on Ukraine on 2 March 2025. France hosts the Coalition's operational headquarters in Paris.
Its plan took shape at a meeting in Paris on 6 January 2026. There the Coalition, Ukraine and the United States set out a European-led Multinational Force for Ukraine and a US-led mechanism to monitor a Ceasefire.
Bulgaria's exit showed the group's reach can shrink. Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on 14 July 2026 that his country would no longer take part; his government had already halted state military aid to Kyiv, though not commercial arms sales. Three months later Sofia turned to NATO for protection after the Black Sea sinkings.
What is the Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine?
When was the Coalition of the Willing formed?
Why did Bulgaria leave the Coalition of the Willing?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 18 October 2026. Editorial standards.