MINISTER FOR FOREIGN Affairs Helen McEntee is to attend a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris today alongside other allies of Ukraine.

The meeting of the group of foreign leaders and ministers is part of diplomatic efforts aimed at ending Russia’s war on Ukraine and to coordinate support for the besieged country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is to attend the meeting in Paris, which will be hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Representatives of 35 countries, including 27 heads of state, will gather in Paris, with France saying the meeting aims to show the “alignment” between Washington, Kyiv and European allies on security guarantees for Ukraine. 

The Coalition of the Willing’s meeting comes as Zelenskyy and his officials continue to engage with the US on a peace plan to secure an end to the war.

Yesterday, US President Donald Trump said that the US had determined Ukraine was not behind an alleged attack on Russia president Vladimir Putin’s residence last week, and further said it was their belief the attack had not occurred.

Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner will attend the meeting of the coalition.

An adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron said the new meeting is the culmination of efforts launched after Donald Trump’s arrival at the White House to prevent “the United States from abandoning Ukraine”.

Speaking ahead of today’s meeting, McEntee stressed that Ireland remains fully supportive of Ukraine “after almost four years of brutal Russian aggression”.

McEntee said Ireland has demonstrated its commitment to Ukraine when Zelenskyy made a visit to Ireland last month, as well as through the agreement in December of an EU loan of €90 billion over the next two years to support Ukraine.

“As diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent weeks, including ongoing efforts led by the United States aimed at bringing peace to Ukraine, today’s meeting is an opportunity to take stock of progress achieved so far, and to discuss how to support Ukraine both now and in the future,” McEntee said.

“We also need to increase pressure on Russia to end its illegal and brutal war.”

The minister added that Ireland’s position remains that the government and people of Ukraine should determine their own future and agree to the terms of any peace agreement, with any deal upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.

“This is also crucial for Europe’s future security,” McEntee said. “It is important therefore that the EU and other European partners are involved in shaping the final outcome.”

Additional reporting by AFP