Macron to Host Anti-Russian Coalition Meeting

In Washington, the office of French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that an anti-Russian “Wishing Coalition” will meet this Sunday, following a summit last Friday between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and just before Ukrainian President Voldy Zelensky’s visit to the White House.

This virtual conference will feature notable leaders, including German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Starmer, who co-chairs the coalition.

Trump, having departed Anchorage without reaching a ceasefire agreement with Putin, expressed on social media early Saturday his preference for a personal negotiation to secure a comprehensive peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

While the U.S. president has frequently suggested that Zelensky needs to concede territory for peace, Ukrainian officials argue that such a decision requires a referendum in Ukraine.

In total, the U.S. has provided around $200 billion in aid to support Ukraine’s defense during the ongoing conflict, which has now stretched over three years.

Zelensky’s previous visit to the White House was on February 28, after which he was removed from the West Wing following a conversation with Vice President J.D. Vance, during which Trump reportedly accused Zelensky of neglecting American interests.

The term “rejoiced coalition” harks back to the Iraq War’s inception in 2003, when President George W. Bush ousted Saddam Hussein, effectively sidelining countries like France and Germany that opposed the plan.

The specific members of this new coalition remain unclear, and Trump has been skeptical about the role of European leaders in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

He remarked, “There are many European leaders, yet they depend on me. Without my involvement, this wouldn’t be resolved until the last person was dead,” indicating his belief in his central role in the negotiations.