Coalition of the Willing: Luxembourg Reiterates 'European Security & Defence Start in Ukraine'

Luxembourg's Directorate of Defence has reported that Defence Minister Yuriko Backes participated in the "Coalition of the Willing" defence ministers' meeting held at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday 10 April 2025.

At the invitation of the French and British Defence Ministers, and in the presence of Ukrainian Minister Rustem Umerov, ministers from about 30 of Ukraine's partner countries met to discuss the establishment of security guarantees for Ukraine, to enable the country to regenerate its forces and defend itself sustainably against future Russian aggression. The meeting followed a series of meetings of Heads of State and Government held in Paris, France in March 2025.

Discussions focused on the current situation on the battlefield, as well as the prospects for reaching a ceasefire leading to a just and lasting peace agreement, fully respecting Ukraine's position. The Defence Directorate added that Ukraine's partners committed themselves to putting in place, under clearly defined conditions, means to enable the country to rebuild its armed forces, with the support of the coalition, and to equip itself with a robust and deterrent defensive capability, for the benefit of Ukraine and European countries.

Luxembourg's Directorate of Defence noted that Minister Backes supported the initiative and its objectives. She reiterated Luxembourg's solidarity and commitment, stating: "Once all the conditions are in place, we must together avoid a second 24 February 2022 [when Russia launched its full-scale invasion] at all costs. Ukraine must be able to defend itself and deter any aggression. European security and defence begin in Ukraine."

The Defence Directorate added that the Luxembourg government is closely monitoring the planning and preparation process of the "Coalition of the Willing" in order to assess - together with the Chamber of Deputies (Luxembourg's parliament) - possible participation.