On Monday, 1 December, Ukrainian President Zelensky flew to Paris to meet French President Macron, seeking political support for a lasting peace while U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff heads to Moscow.
Meeting between Zelensky and Macron in France
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Paris on 1 December, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron. The BFM TV station said the purpose was to clarify the situation and the conditions for a fair and lasting peace. The presidents also intended to conduct close consultations with European partners. “Ukrainians expect genuine political support, not Ukraine being sacrificed on the altar of American business,” the station added.
Controversies Surrounding the Meeting
BFM TV reporters noted that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is increasingly seen as closely tied to Russian oligarchs. Media reports also touch on a corruption scandal in Ukraine. Some outlets say Zelensky should seek support in France after the resignation of his chief adviser Andrij Jermak. French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noel Barrot, in an interview with “La Tribune Dimanche,” emphasized that this matter should be considered by appropriate institutions without interfering in the peace process.
Steve Witkoff Heads to Russia
The Zelensky–Macron meeting occurs between two events related to the war in Ukraine. On Tuesday, 2 December, Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss a proposed peace plan. On Sunday, the U.S. envoy attended a meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian representatives in Miami, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as “very productive.”