Zelenskyy intensifies push for “truly durable” peace in talks with Macron, Starmer and US envoy
By Staff Writer
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has intensified his diplomatic push for a “truly durable” peace, holding hours of talks in Paris before joining a series of high-level calls with European leaders and the United States.
Zelenskyy arrived at the Élysée Palace on 01 December for what he described as “several-hour talks” with French President Emmanuel Macron. “During our several-hour talks, Emmanuel Macron and I assessed a great many details. The main focus was on negotiations to end the war and on security guarantees. Peace must become truly durable.”
He stressed that success depends on every international leader, writing: “Much now depends on the involvement of every leader. We will also be speaking with other leaders today.”
The Paris discussions followed a weekend of intensive negotiations in Miami between Ukraine’s team, led by Rustem Umierov, and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The talks centred on a US-backed peace framework that has raised concerns in parts of Europe over the risk of giving Russia excessive concessions. The Miami negotiations came ahead of Witkoff’s planned meeting with Vladimir Putin on 02 December, which the Kremlin has publicly confirmed.
Shortly after meeting Macron, Zelenskyy joined a joint call with Macron, Witkoff, Umierov and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to review the US-Ukraine discussions. Following the briefing, he said: “It was an important briefing, and we agreed to discuss more details in person – our teams will coordinate schedules for possible further contacts.”
Later, Zelenskyy and Macron convened a wider multilateral call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, the Netherlands’ Dick Schoof, Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, Norway’s Jonas Gahr Støre, European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and the UK Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.
The leaders discussed the Miami outcomes, upcoming meetings in Europe, and the need to reinforce long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelenskyy said a strong coalition continues to stand with Kyiv as diplomatic efforts intensify.
After the meetings in Paris, he reiterated the urgency of the moment: “The war must end as soon as possible.”
