An Arria-formula meeting on August 10, 2026, addressed humanitarian law violations in Ukraine, while a separate Coalition of the Willing
gathering in Paris on July 13 focused on security guarantees for Kyiv, with NATO chief Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attending, according to sources.
Arria-formula Meeting Focuses on Humanitarian Law and Detainee Treatment
The Arria-formula meeting, organized by Latvia, the UK, and Ukraine, aimed to spotlight the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) and civilian detainees in Russian custody, citing widespread violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights law (IHRL). The event, held in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber, featured remarks from Claudia Fuentes Julio of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Crimean Tatar activist Leniie Umerova, and Ukrainian lawyer Oleg Gushchyn, among others. A concept note circulated by organizers highlighted that as of June 10, 2026, Ukraine had secured the release of 9,446 individuals from Russian captivity, including 457 civilians, though over 16,000 civilians remained unaccounted for in Russian-held territories.
UN reporting documented severe abuses, including torture, conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and enforced disappearances. A September 2025 HRMMU report found that 92% of 216 released civilian detainees interviewed since June 2023 described consistent accounts of ill-treatment. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine (COI) also alleged that Russian authorities had systematically used sexual violence as a form of torture in detention facilities,
with most victims being men. The meeting emphasized the need for unimpeded access to detainees by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which reported 75 visits to 22 detention sites in Ukraine in 2025, though no visits to Russian facilities.
Coalition of the Willing Gathers in Paris to Support Ukraine
A separate Coalition of the Willing
meeting in Paris on July 13, 2026, brought together NATO chief Mark Rutte, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and EU leaders to discuss security guarantees for Kyiv following the NATO summit in Turkey. The French presidency stated the gathering aimed to bolster momentum for Ukraine’s defense, focusing on countering Russia’s “shadow fleet,” enhancing military capabilities, and deepening operational cooperation among Kyiv’s allies. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized Europe’s growing role in its own security, while U.S.
The meeting also addressed the expansion of the coalition, with Moldova and North Macedonia joining, and included discussions on mobilizing defense industries and joint military exercises. The Elysee cited ongoing planning for security guarantees in the event of a ceasefire, though no specific details were provided. Reuters reported that the event followed recent NATO and G7 summits, where Trump had shown increased support for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia.
UN Reports Document Systematic Violations in Detention Facilities
Findings from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) revealed a spike in executions of captured Ukrainian soldiers in November and December 2025. These claims align with the COI’s findings, which described sexual violence as a war crime and a tool of torture. The HRMMU’s 2025 annual report also highlighted the ICRC’s limited access to Russian detention sites, though it documented 11,835 Red Cross messages exchanged in Ukraine.
The concept note for the Arria-formula meeting posed questions about strengthening international obligations to protect civilians and POWs, improving access to detainees, and addressing the deceptive and coercive recruitment of foreign nationals
into Russian forces. Several member states were expected to call for expanded ICRC access, while the film Into the Void: Putin’s Foreign Fighters
by Sheida Kiran was cited as a key reference on the topic.
Broader Implications and Unanswered Questions
The dual meetings underscore the international community’s efforts to address both the legal and strategic dimensions of Ukraine’s conflict. While the Arria-formula event focused on humanitarian law and accountability, the Coalition of the Willing gathering highlighted diplomatic and military coordination. However, unresolved issues include the fate of thousands of missing civilians, the effectiveness of POW exchange mechanisms, and the challenge of ensuring accountability for alleged war crimes. The ICRC’s limited access to Russian detention facilities remains a critical obstacle to verifying claims of abuse.
The Arria-formula meeting’s emphasis on transparency and the Coalition of the Willing’s focus on security cooperation reflect parallel efforts to balance legal accountability with practical support for Ukraine. Yet, without sustained international pressure and access to detainees, the path to justice and peace remains uncertain.
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