The issue of territories is the single most difficult one, Zelensky said about the conversation he expects to have with Trump.
Monday’s meeting between the Ukrainian and French leaders comes at a time when Kiev is under intense pressure. According to analysis by the AFP news agency, Russian forces made their biggest advance in Ukraine in a year in November, while the Kremlin continues its regular bombing of the Ukrainian capital and other major cities.
In parallel with this, Zelensky is plagued by a widespread corruption scandal that has forced both ministers and his closest man, Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, to leave their posts.
Pressed Kyiv
The scandal erupted as Washington pushes for a deal to end the war, prompting US envoy Steve Witkoff to travel to Moscow for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
According to the French president’s office, Macron and Zelensky spoke by phone with Witkoff on Monday.
There is currently no final plan regarding the issue of territories. This can only be finalized by President Zelensky, Macron said at the press conference, adding that the sanctions targeting Russia will reach their “highest level” since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
Zelensky also said that it is of utmost importance that the Kremlin does not feel rewarded for its aggression towards Ukraine,
In a post on X earlier on Monday, Zelenskyy wrote that the meeting in Paris, which lasted several hours, revolved around security guarantees and reaching a lasting peace, among other things. But he also stressed that “the war must end as quickly as possible.”
Zelensky: “Grateful”
The Paris talks followed Sunday’s peace talks in Florida between the United States and Ukraine. During the night, Zelensky thanked the United States and President Trump “for the time spent defining steps towards ending the war.”
Neither Zelensky nor Trump participated in Sunday’s talks, which according to the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov, were “productive and successful.” Trump stated hours after the meeting that there are “good prospects” for an agreement between Russia and Ukraine – while Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the talks, admitted that much work remains.
The talks in Florida were a continuation of the recent negotiations in Geneva, and the starting point was the 19-point draft that was developed last weekend by Ukraine and the United States. The goal was to agree on letters that could be taken to Russia and this week’s negotiations in Moscow.
