On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron met Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenski in Paris to outline the country’s territorial red‑lines and the path toward ending the war with Russia.
Macron: Territorial Decisions Are Ukraine’s Sole Responsibility
Macron stated that there is no finalized plan regarding Ukraine’s territorial issues and that these matters can only be resolved by President Zelenski. He added that discussions on frozen assets and security guarantees are still preliminary. Macron also noted that Russia has not signaled any willingness to end the conflict.
Prime Focus: Sovereignty and Security
During the talks, Macron emphasized coordinated action among European partners ahead of U.S.–Russia negotiations as a key achievement. Zelenski thanked the West for its support and reiterated that Ukraine’s priorities are sovereignty and security. He acknowledged that the process is unfinished, with the territorial component being the toughest challenge, and highlighted his recent phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump following the visit by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow.
Peace Agreement First, Security Guarantees Later
U.S. State Department spokesman Marco Rubio stated that Washington seeks a peace agreement before initiating talks on security guarantees. Rubio described the negotiations as delicate and emphasized that much work remains.
Witkoff to Moscow
Macron also called U.S. President Trump, where both presidents discussed the terms for strong and lasting peace. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Witkoff’s visit to Moscow would be very useful because it will focus on outlining an agreement.
EU Boosts Aid to Ukraine
In Brussels, EU defence ministers discussed financing aid for Kyiv, agreeing that an urgent financing option must be agreed upon. Minister Kaja Kallas noted the importance of rapid coordination, while Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to a fair peace plan for Ukraine.
