Downing Street and the Élysée co-chaired a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on 24 October 2025, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joining the discussion. A chairs’ statement issued by the UK Government set out a common line on sanctions, energy resilience, security guarantees and potential use of immobilised Russian sovereign assets.
Leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine during the winter period and for a just and lasting peace. The statement welcomed President Zelenskyy’s backing for a full, unconditional ceasefire, contrasted this with President Putin’s rejection of a ceasefire, and recorded that Russia has escalated attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure while violating NATO airspace.
The group restated that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable and that borders must not be changed by force. Leaders endorsed comments by US President Donald Trump that the current line of contact should be the starting point for any talks.
Economic measures were central to the readout. Leaders resolved to intensify pressure on Russia until a just and lasting peace is secured, including further steps to take Russian oil and gas off the global market, ending remaining imports into their territories, and deterring third countries from trading in Russian hydrocarbons. The statement welcomed recent US action to curb such flows.
On maritime risk, participants agreed to pursue additional measures against the so‑called shadow fleet-vessels used to transport sanctioned oil outside standard compliance channels. Options include further sanctions, steps to discourage third‑country engagement, enhanced information sharing, and readiness to use regulatory and interdiction powers, with closer coordination to increase collective impact.
Looking to 2026–2027, leaders expressed intent to address Ukraine’s pressing financial needs, including developing options to use the full value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets. The statement made clear this would be in addition to existing bilateral military aid, which would not be reduced.
Partners strongly condemned Russia’s continuing strikes on energy and gas infrastructure, describing the campaign as designed to cause a humanitarian crisis and erode public resilience. They agreed to ensure Ukraine’s energy resilience by providing urgent assistance to protect and rebuild critical infrastructure alongside continued military support, including air defence.
The statement reiterated determination to establish robust arrangements for Ukraine’s long‑term security so it can deter and defend against future attack. Leaders confirmed that plans are in place to deploy a Multinational Force Ukraine once hostilities have ceased, to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and support regeneration of the armed forces.
Policy Wire analysis: If implemented, the package would tighten compliance exposure for energy traders, insurers, shipowners and port authorities, particularly where shadow‑fleet activity intersects with Western services. Expect expanded information‑sharing among governments and a greater likelihood of port‑state control actions, insurance restrictions and designation risk to disrupt illicit shipments.
Policy Wire analysis: Work on using the principal value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets-not just windfall profits-would require domestic legal steps across participating jurisdictions and careful alignment with allies to manage litigation risk. Any post‑war multinational presence would likewise depend on a clear mandate, host‑nation consent and force‑generation commitments, none of which were detailed in the chairs’ statement.