Macron receives Zelensky at the Elysee to discuss arrangements for ending the war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is facing increasing political and military pressure, arrived in Paris on Monday to meet his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, on the eve of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and an envoy of President Donald Trump who is likely to discuss the American plan to end the war between Moscow and Kiev.

Trump expressed optimism after discussions held by American and Ukrainian officials in Florida on Sunday regarding the peace plan prepared by Washington in an effort to put an end to the conflict that began in February 2022.

This comes at a time when Zelensky is facing an internal corruption crisis that toppled the Ukrainian presidential chief of staff, and while Russia continues its strikes, one of which on Monday led to the killing of four people, according to the authorities.

Macron received Zelensky before noon at the Elysee Palace, on the tenth visit by the Ukrainian president to Paris since the outbreak of the war.

The French presidency confirmed that Macron and Zelensky “will exchange views on the situation and conditions for achieving a just and lasting peace, in continuation of the discussions that took place in Geneva and the American plan, and in close consultation with our European partners.”
Witkov meets Putin on Tuesday

About 10 days ago, the United States presented a 28-item plan that was formulated without any interference from Ukraine’s European allies. The plan took into account many Russian demands, stipulating the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donetsk region (east) and Washington’s de facto recognition of the Donetsk, Crimea and Luhansk regions as Russian.

Washington modified the original draft after criticism from Kiev and Europe, but the current wording is still unclear.

Zelensky’s arrival in Paris came with the Kremlin confirming that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, will meet Putin in Moscow on Tuesday afternoon.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during his daily press briefing: “The meeting with Witkov is scheduled to be held tomorrow… in the afternoon.”

Witkoff was part of the American delegation that held the discussions on Sunday, alongside Rubio and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

On the other hand, Secretary of the National Security Council Rustam Umarov headed the Ukrainian delegation.

While both parties confirmed that the discussion was “productive,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the need for more work, while a source in the Kiev delegation described the discussions as “not easy.”
Trump saw a good opportunity for an agreement.

“Ukraine has some tough little problems,” he said on Air Force One, referring to the corruption investigation that forced Zelensky to fire his chief of staff and chief negotiator Andriy Yermak.

He added, “But I think there is a good chance of reaching an agreement,” indicating that both sides want to end the war.

In what may indicate the seriousness of the deliberations, European Union foreign policy official Kaya Kallas considered that the coming week may be pivotal for efforts to end the most violent conflict on the continent since World War II.

“This could be a pivotal week for diplomacy,” Callas said during a meeting of EU defense ministers on Monday. “We heard yesterday that the discussions in the United States were difficult but fruitful. We have no idea about the results yet, but today I will speak to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, and also to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister.”