Rome: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly stated Thursday that a ceasefire with Russia is not under discussion with European allies, emphasizing the need for increased Western support as the country braces for a challenging winter during his whirlwind tour of four capitals.
Zelensky’s 48-hour journey to London, Paris, Rome, and Berlin aimed to secure military and financial assistance amid concerns about waning support if Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidency next month.
In Rome, Zelensky attended a working dinner with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who announced that the city would host the next “recovery conference” for Ukraine’s reconstruction on July 10-11, 2025. “Ukraine is not alone, and we will stand with it for as long as needed,” Meloni told reporters following their meeting.
Prior to this, Zelensky engaged in talks with France’s President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where he refuted media claims suggesting discussions about a ceasefire with Russia. “This is not the topic of our discussions,” he stated. “It’s not right. Russia works a lot with media disinformation, so such reports are understandable,” he added.
Zelensky has consistently rejected any peace plans that require ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia, insisting that Moscow must first withdraw all troops. He mentioned that he and Macron discussed Kyiv’s “victory plan” to overcome Russian aggression. “Before winter, we need your support,” he acknowledged, highlighting a “difficult situation in the east” and a “big deficit” in certain military equipment.
I spoke with media representatives following a meeting with President @EmmanuelMacron about the Victory Plan, France’s support, our preparations for winter, the situation on the battlefield, the impossibility of “freezing” the war, and preparations for the second Peace Summit. pic.twitter.com/lGAsh3PcXq
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 10, 2024
Macron noted that Zelensky had presented Ukraine’s “plan for the next weeks” and that they discussed strategy for the forthcoming “weeks and months.” Macron reiterated France’s commitment to support Ukraine’s resistance against the Russian invasion.
Later, Zelensky communicated via Telegram that discussions included the potential for France and Ukraine to jointly produce arms.
Ukraine faces its most challenging winter since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, as Russian forces launch strikes on the power grid and advance along the eastern frontline.
‘Just end to war’
Zelensky arrived in Paris after discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Chief Mark Rutte in London. Following the meeting at Downing Street, Zelensky detailed his “victory plan,” which he claimed aims to establish the right conditions for a just end to the war. Starmer remarked that the meeting provided an opportunity to delve into the plan in more detail.
Zelensky underscored Ukraine’s urgent need for increased aid to counter the Russian offensives, which have resulted in the capture of numerous small towns and villages in the east. He is also advocating for permission to use long-range weapons supplied by allies to strike military targets deep inside Russia.
However, Washington and London have been hesitant to approve this, fearing it could escalate tensions and draw NATO allies into direct conflict with Russia. Zelensky raised the issue during his meeting with Starmer.
Rutte confirmed, “Legally, Ukraine is allowed to use its weapons if they can hit targets in Russia that present a threat to Ukraine,” but added that the decision ultimately rests with individual allies. He and Britain advised against focusing too heavily on long-range missiles. Starmer’s spokesperson indicated that the talks centered on the “range of support” available for Ukraine.
A planned meeting of Ukraine’s allies in Germany was postponed after U.S. President Joe Biden canceled his visit to focus on Hurricane Milton’s threat.
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Funding Concerns
On the ground, questions are growing about the long-term strategy of Ukraine’s counteroffensive into Russia’s Kursk region, particularly as Moscow intensifies its efforts in eastern Ukraine. “If this is a short-term operation, it will strengthen us,” remarked Bogdan, a serviceman in Druzhkivka, near Kramatorsk. “If it’s a long-term operation and we plan to stay in Kursk, it will deplete our main resources.”
The Kremlin claimed on Thursday that its missiles had struck two launchers of a U.S.-made Patriot air-defense system that Ukraine utilizes against Russian missiles. Ukraine relies heavily on billions in U.S. aid to combat the invasion, and the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November could be crucial.
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The Kiel Institute, based in Germany, warned that Western military and financial support to Kyiv could drop by half to approximately 29 billion euros ($31 billion) in 2025 if Trump is elected. Trump has vowed to end the war “in 24 hours” if he regains office, a prospect that raises concerns for Kyiv about having to make significant compromises for peace.
Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Pope Francis and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday.
