Diplomatic Talks in Paris Aim for Peace in Ukraine
On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a high-level meeting at the Élysée Palace with senior diplomats from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. The discussions centered on strategies for brokering a peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine. This meeting comes amidst a challenging diplomatic landscape, particularly as relations between Europe and the U.S. shift under the influence of the Trump administration.
Consensus on the Need for Peace
President Macron emphasized the shared goal among the participating nations: achieving a strong and lasting peace. “Everyone wants to get peace. A robust and sustainable peace,” he stated during the meeting, highlighting the complexity of the negotiation process that lies ahead.
The U.S. delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, all of whom played instrumental roles in the talks aimed at unifying efforts across nations.
Engagement with Russian Officials
Following the discussions in Paris, there was engagement with Russian officials. Rubio communicated with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, asserting that the U.S. administration has developed clear outlines for a durable peace agreement. Additionally, Witkoff has previously met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating continued dialogue with Moscow.
Ukrainian Perspectives on Negotiations
Amidst these diplomatic efforts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns regarding some of the statements made by Witkoff, which suggested potential peace terms could involve discussions about five disputed Ukrainian territories. Zelenskyy criticized these remarks as dangerous, stating that they echoed Russian narratives and did not represent the authority to negotiate Ukrainian territorial integrity.
“He does not have the mandate to discuss Ukrainian territories, because our territory belongs to our people,” Zelenskyy remarked, underscoring the sensitivity of the territorial issues at stake in the conflict.
Reactions to Recent Incidents and Future Meetings
Zelenskyy also addressed comments made by Donald Trump regarding the conflict, specifically referencing a recent attack that resulted in civilian casualties in Ukraine. While he did not criticize Trump directly, he highlighted the more robust responses from European leaders, noting that their condemnations were more forceful compared to the administration’s approach. “I think the [Trump] administration’s soft response reflects the continuation of their current policy,” he commented.
In the wake of the Paris meetings, Macron and Zelenskyy have maintained open lines of communication, with plans for further discussions set to take place in London the following week.
This diplomatic engagement reflects a critical but complex moment in the ongoing conflict, as nations strive to navigate the path toward peace amidst intricate geopolitical dynamics.
Reporting contributed by Eleanor Beardsley from Paris and Joanna Kakissis from Kyiv.
