Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris as he embarks on another hectic week of diplomacy, facing increasing pressure from the United States to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, reports The Guardian.
“Peace is achievable if Vladimir Putin abandons his illusory hope of rebuilding a Soviet empire by first subjugating Ukraine,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to La Tribune Dimanche. As The Guardian notes, this remains a significant “if.”
Over the weekend, Ukrainian negotiators met with U.S. officials in Florida to discuss the details of a proposed Washington-backed framework aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Diplomats focused on reviewing a 28-point plan developed during negotiations between Washington and Moscow, which has faced criticism for being heavily skewed toward Russian demands.
Meanwhile, EU foreign and defense ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss related issues, and American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to travel to Moscow ahead of planned talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The diplomatic agenda for the coming days promises to be intense and complex.
