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French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that Europe is ready to defend itself, freedom, and the rule of law “at the cost of blood if necessary,” ahead of a Paris summit of Ukraine’s allies aimed at reaffirming support for Kyiv and increasing pressure on Russia.
Macron made the remarks in a traditional speech to France’s armed forces before the July 14 Bastille Day military parade.
The summit of the Coalition of the Willing, launched by France and the United Kingdom to provide military support to Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion, is expected to gather at least 25 heads of state, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Macron said Europe is “in the process of becoming a power” ready to defend itself.
“The message we send to the world is this: Yes, peace is our goal. Yes, we cherish freedom and the rule of law. And yes, we stand ready to fight to defend them. Always, and at the cost of blood if necessary,” Macron said.
Zelenskyy and other leaders are expected to attend the military parade on the Champs Elysees in central Paris, which will highlight support for Ukraine, the French presidency said.
Macron also called for more European defense industry partnerships.
The French presidency said the summit would push for a cease-fire and renewed peace talks, while coalition leaders are also expected to focus on air and missile defense cooperation with Ukraine, including licensed weapons production in the country.
The Elysee said the meeting comes at a moment of “renewed transatlantic convergence and unity” and “more favorable developments on the ground” for Kyiv.
An adviser to Macron said the summit would show that Ukraine’s supporters remain committed and that Russia cannot count on fatigue setting in.
U.S. President Donald Trump signaled at the June G7 summit in France and at this week’s NATO meeting in Türkiye that he intends to offer greater support to Ukraine.
Washington last week also advanced bipartisan legislation targeting countries buying Russian energy, potentially clearing the way for stronger pressure on Moscow.
Moscow dismissed the Paris summit Monday as a gathering of leaders who “do not want peace.”
“This is a coalition of warmongers,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Officials in Paris said the Multinational Force for Ukraine, which would be deployed once the fighting has ended, is set to be officially declared ready at the summit, with joint military exercises also expected to be scheduled.
Washington has ruled out any deployment of American ground troops and is not formally part of the coalition, but it would be involved in cease-fire monitoring.
France, Britain and Spain have said they are ready to send troops, while Moscow has warned that any foreign forces would be “legitimate targets.”
A ceasefire remains distant as fighting continues and Ukraine’s air defenses face pressure from repeated Russian ballistic missile strikes.
Washington this month permitted Ukraine to build U.S.-designed Patriot air defense systems capable of downing ballistic missiles, though production may take months.
Zelenskyy has repeated calls in recent days for allies to send more military aid to help Ukraine fight Russia’s invasion, now well into its fifth year.
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