Friedrich Merz will attend the "Coalition of the Willing" summit in Paris
German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit Paris on July 13, where he will participate in a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” dedicated to security guarantees for Ukraine, further military and political support for Kyiv, and the search for ways to achieve a just and lasting peace.
“Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Paris on July 13, 2026, where he will participate in a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing at 5:00 p.m. The meeting is intended to facilitate an exchange of views on security guarantees and continued support for Ukraine, as well as to coordinate ways to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” the statement notes.
The following day, July 14, the German chancellor, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, will join the celebrations marking Bastille Day—France’s national holiday.
Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to watch the traditional military parade on the Champs-Élysées together from the VIP stand.
The meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” is intended to serve as another platform for coordinating international support for Ukraine, discussing security guarantees, and outlining the allies’ next steps toward achieving a just and lasting peace.
The German federal government’s press service announced the upcoming trip.
As a reminder, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will join the “Coalition of the Willing” meeting in Paris on July 13.
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced new defense initiatives and joint military exercises, which will be unveiled on July 13 during the “Coalition of the Willing” meeting attended by approximately 35 leaders of participating countries.
On July 8, ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, French President Emmanuel Macron went for his traditional morning jog through the streets of the Turkish capital. The French leader was accompanied by security guards and members of his delegation.
