Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine have entered a critical phase as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with Emmanuel Macron in Paris, while US envoy Steve Witkoff prepares to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine is open to a revised version of the US-proposed peace plan, but stressed that any agreement must guarantee security and preserve Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The updated plan reportedly removes some of the earlier concessions, yet tough issues remain unresolved, especially around territorial control.
European leaders rallied around Kyiv during Zelenskiy’s Paris visit. Macron and others emphasized that no peace deal should be finalized without Ukraine’s direct participation and European involvement at the table.
Meanwhile, Witkoff’s planned meeting with Putin has raised questions in both Kyiv and European capitals. Critics fear Russia may use the talks to push for a settlement that legitimizes its territorial gains while easing international pressure.
For Kyiv, the path ahead remains uncertain. Zelenskiy insists Ukraine will not accept any deal that compromises its sovereignty or cedes territory. European allies appear ready to support that stance, but only if any final accord respects international law and Ukraine’s red lines.
