Ukraine's top allies meet in Paris to push for Kyiv's security guarantees

"The coalition of the willing' tries to lay groundwork for ceasefire and end to Russia's nearly four-year war in Ukraine. Ukraine's key allies are meeting in Paris to discuss security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire with Russia as national leaders and diplomats work to bring an end to the nearly four-year war through a United States-brokered peace plan."

"But prospects for progress are uncertain as the Trump administration's focus has now shifted to Venezuela after US forces abducted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife on Saturday. There have also been few signals that Russia would be willing to accept the current proposals on the table. The issue of who holds what territory remains a key obstacle to negotiations, and fighting between the two sides shows no signs of abating."

Ukraine's president and representatives from 35 countries, including 27 heads of state, convened in Paris to pursue security guarantees tied to a potential ceasefire. Senior U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner attended to help coordinate Ukrainian, European, and American positions for presentation to Russia. French leadership emphasized deterrent guarantees should Kyiv accept a ceasefire. Major obstacles include disputed territorial control, Russian demands for Donbas concessions, and occupation of roughly 20 percent of Ukraine. Fighting continues with no signs of abating, and diplomatic momentum faces uncertainty amid limited Russian signals and shifting U.S. priorities.

Read at www.aljazeera.com