Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris. This meeting is part of a concerted diplomatic effort aimed at negotiating the terms for a potential ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for nearly four years. President Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the progress of revisions to the peace plan proposed by the Trump administration, stating that it “looks better” and that discussions will continue.
In parallel, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday. This meeting has drawn attention due to reports suggesting that Witkoff advised Putin’s foreign policy adviser on how to present the Ukraine peace plan to US President Donald Trump effectively.
President Zelenskyy’s visit to Paris followed a productive meeting between Ukrainian and US officials over the weekend, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as constructive. Both parties have been collaborating to revise the U.S.-authored plan, developed through negotiations between Washington and Moscow, which had been criticised for being disproportionately aligned with Russian interests. President Zelenskyy remarked, “It’s a process; it’s not over yet,” underscoring that Ukraine’s territorial integrity remains a particularly complex issue in the negotiations.
President Macron indicated that the discussions are still in a preliminary phase; however, he characterised the recent diplomatic activity as a significant moment that could mark a turning point for peace in Ukraine and security across Europe.
Following criticism from Ukraine and its European allies, Trump has reassessed his administration’s original 28-point peace framework. This framework imposed limitations on Ukraine’s military, prevented the country from joining NATO, and required Ukraine to cede territory. The President has since characterised it as a “concept” that needs further refinement.
French President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged the United States’ efforts to pursue peace but emphasised that any final peace plan must involve European stakeholders. Last week, President Macron urged Western allies to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire or peace agreement. He has advocated establishing a “reassurance force” across land, sea, and air to bolster the country’s security.
On Monday, President Macron indicated that essential discussions are expected in the coming days between US officials and Western partners to clarify the United States’ role in security guarantees. According to Macron’s office, he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with other European leaders, including representatives from Britain, Germany, Poland, Italy, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and the Netherlands. They also consulted with European Union officials Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Furthermore, Macron and Zelenskyy spoke by phone with Witkoff, as noted by Macron’s office.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed her concerns on Monday that negotiations between the US and Russia may pressure Ukraine into making additional concessions, including the possible surrender of territory. “I am apprehensive that the burden of pressure will fall disproportionately on the victim,” Kallas stated to reporters in Brussels following a meeting of EU foreign and defence ministers.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
