In a symbol of resistance to Vladimir Putin's Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Emmanuel Macron for dinner at the French presidential palace in Paris on Wednesday, September 3. After more than three years of war, the Ukrainian president was looking to his French counterpart and other close allies to eventually secure a ceasefire or, failing the recovery of territories occupied by the Russian army, even a peace agreement that would allow his country to preserve its sovereignty.

For the moment, the prospect of ending the conflict and Russian atrocities has remained elusive. The Kremlin has continued to press its advantage on the military front, focused solely on capitulation in Kyiv and revenge against the West. Step by step, meeting after meeting, call after call, could the diplomatic efforts among allies, in which Putin has never participated, ultimately pay off?

The day after his evening meeting with Macron, Zelensky was to speak from Paris, primarily by videoconference, with representatives of the "coalition of the willing," a group of around 30 countries, mainly European, determined to back Kyiv. British Prime Minister , which German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were also expected to attend. A call with United States President Donald Trump was scheduled for the early afternoon.

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