European Leaders Gather in Kyiv as Ukraine Seeks More Air Defense

European leaders gather in Kyiv on August 24 for a Coalition of the Willing summit, seeking new ways to pressure Russia into halting its invasion of Ukraine before another difficult winter sets in, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office.

The meeting falls on the same day Ukraine marks the 35th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union, and it follows a gathering a day earlier of Baltic and Nordic leaders in the Ukrainian capital. The Coalition of the Willing, an informal bloc of roughly 34 countries backing Ukraine, is led jointly by London and Paris. No US representative was listed among the participants for this session.

Burnham's First Trip Abroad Signals Continuity

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is traveling to Kyiv on August 24 for his first international visit since taking office a month ago, according to a statement from his office, which said the trip is meant "to reiterate the UK's unwavering commitment to Ukraine." The same statement said Britain has agreed to let defense contractor MBDA release classified details on UK made components for the long range SCALP missile, clearing the way for local assembly lines to be built inside Ukraine.

France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Friedrich Merz, and Burnham are co-chairing the summit, with the agenda centered on continued military supplies, air defense needs, and security arrangements that would extend beyond the current war. Macron is joining remotely by video link, as is NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska.

Zelenskyy used the days leading up to the summit to press European lawmakers on funding. He said Ukraine is counting on 30 billion euros in European support that remains tied up pending legislation.