European leaders back Ukrainian President Zelensky as peace talks continue. French President Macron emphasizes Ukraine’s sole authority over its territories while the US envoy heads to Moscow.
European Support for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received strong backing from European leaders during a visit to Paris. He met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, joined by officials from the UK, Italy, Poland, and the European Union.
“The war must end as soon as possible,” Zelensky wrote on X. “Much depends on the involvement of each leader.”
Ukraine’s Priorities in Peace Negotiations
Zelensky outlined Ukraine’s main priorities:
- Maintain sovereignty
- Secure strong security guarantees
- Prevent Russia from benefiting from the conflict
He stressed that territorial integrity is the most sensitive issue in negotiations. Zelensky also hopes to speak with US President Donald Trump following the visit of Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow.
Macron: Only Ukraine Decides
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that only Ukraine can decide on its territories in any peace plan. He warned that Russia shows no signs of stopping its aggression.
“On issues like frozen assets, EU accession, and European sanctions, any plan must be finalized with European partners at the table,” Macron said. “We are still in the preliminary phase.”
US Peace Plan Revision Still Pending
Despite two rounds of talks, Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine and US negotiators have not fully agreed on the 28-point peace plan initially presented by Washington, which was seen as favoring Russia.
“There are still difficult issues to resolve,” Zelensky stated. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the sentiment, emphasizing ongoing discussions as Witkoff heads to Moscow.
Kyiv and its European allies insist on removing provisions that would require Ukraine to:
- Give up territory
- Reduce its military
- Halt NATO aspirations
- Ban Western troops
Officials say such concessions would constitute capitulation and risk further Russian advances.
Challenges on the Ground
Ukraine faces a tough military and political situation. Its forces are losing ground along a 1,200-kilometer front line. Russia continues long-range strikes on energy infrastructure, leaving residents in darkness amid the fourth winter of war.
Domestically, Ukraine is grappling with its largest corruption scandal since the war began. Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, resigned after anti-corruption investigators searched his home. Two ministers were also dismissed.
Meanwhile, Russia reported capturing another settlement in eastern Ukraine and is close to seizing the devastated town of Pokrovsk.
Next Steps
The future of the peace talks depends on continued engagement from European leaders and the United States. Zelensky’s position remains clear: Ukraine alone decides on its territories, and any agreement must safeguard its sovereignty.
Comments are closed.