French President Emmanuel Macron convened a critical meeting on Thursday, bringing together top diplomats from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine to discuss the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The primary focus of these discussions was to explore avenues for a sustainable peace agreement while also addressing the challenges of maintaining a cohesive alliance between Europe and the Trump administration. Macron emphasized the collective desire for peace, stating, "Everyone wants to get peace. A robust and sustainable peace." He highlighted the importance of the timing and approach in achieving this goal.
The U.S. delegation at the Élysée Palace included prominent figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg. Following the discussions, Kellogg took to social media platform X to express optimism about the talks, stating, "Very productive meetings at Elysee Palace on efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia war," and shared a photograph with representatives from Ukraine. The State Department confirmed that Rubio later engaged with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, outlining the U.S. administration's proposed framework for a durable and lasting peace.
Witkoff has been involved in multiple discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including a recent meeting in St. Petersburg. However, Ukraine has been urging the U.S. to adopt a more assertive stance against Russia, especially following its full-scale invasion in February 2022, which has tragically resulted in a significant loss of life. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Witkoff, asserting that he has aligned with Russian strategies. Zelenskyy expressed concern over Witkoff's comments to Fox News regarding a potential peace deal that could involve the status of five Ukrainian territories, which include the illegally annexed Crimea and regions partially occupied by Russia.
In a press briefing in Kyiv, Zelenskyy remarked, "It's very dangerous because he's consciously or unconsciously spreading Russian narratives." He underscored that Witkoff lacks the authority to negotiate Ukrainian territories, as these regions rightfully belong to the Ukrainian people. Zelenskyy also addressed President Trump's recent remarks about Russia's deadly strike on Sumy, describing it as a mistake. While he refrained from criticizing Trump, he noted that Rubio had condemned the attack, which resulted in the deaths of 35 civilians and injuries to over 100 others.
President Zelenskyy pointed out the contrast in responses to the strike, highlighting that European leaders were more vocal in their condemnation of Russia's actions. He stated, "I think the Trump administration's soft response reflects the continuation of their current policy." Zelenskyy believes that the Trump administration's approach to diplomacy is aimed at hastening an end to the conflict, despite the apparent alignment with Moscow's narrative of the war. Macron has been in close contact with Zelenskyy, reaching out both before and after Thursday’s meetings, and additional discussions are scheduled to take place in London next week.
The ongoing dialogue among these key international players underscores the complexities of achieving peace in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. As the situation evolves, the international community remains watchful for developments that could lead to a resolution of this protracted crisis.
