PARIS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday, seeking European backing as the United States pushes Kyiv to agree to a peace plan with Russia.
The talks follow a flurry of recent diplomatic efforts in the United States and set the stage for a critical meeting in Moscow this week.
US-Ukrainian talks in Florida
On Sunday, a Ukrainian delegation met in Florida with US officials, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The discussions focused on “reliable security guarantees” for Ukraine and refining a US-backed peace plan to end the war with Russia, according to the US media reports.
Rubio described the talks as “productive” but stressed that “so much work remains.” He noted the complexity of the negotiations, with Russia a major party in the process.
Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, who led the Kyiv delegation in Florida following the resignation of chief negotiator Andriy Yermak, called the meeting “productive” and said progress was made toward a “dignified peace.”
Zelensky confirmed the discussions on X, describing them as “very constructive” but added that “tough issues still have to be worked through.”
Preparations for Moscow talks
Witkoff was scheduled to travel to Moscow on Monday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday afternoon, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
The meeting is expected to focus on a revised 19-point peace plan. Putin has indicated a willingness for “serious discussions” but has maintained that fighting will only stop if Ukrainian forces withdraw from key territories, including the eastern Donbas region.
The initial 28-point peace proposal was revised in Geneva last week after consultations between US and Ukrainian officials.
Zelensky engages European leaders
While the US engages Moscow, Zelensky is actively seeking European support. In Paris, he discussed the peace plan and security guarantees with Macron and later briefed other European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
He emphasised that “peace must become truly durable” and stressed the importance of safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
The European Union’s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, noted the significance of the week ahead.
“It is clear that Russia does not want peace, and therefore we need to make Ukraine as strong as possible,” she said.
Trump signals optimism
Speaking aboard Air Force One, President Trump said there is a “good chance” for a peace deal but acknowledged challenges due to Ukraine’s internal corruption issues, including the resignation of Yermak.
Trump added that Kyiv’s forces could still recover Russian controlled territories.
Earlier, Putin cautiously welcomed the revised US proposal as a potential “basis for future agreements” but reiterated that Russia’s objectives, particularly in eastern Ukraine, must be met.
Kremlin officials emphasised that the plan would only succeed if Ukraine makes territorial concessions.
