PARIS (AP) — France hosted high-level discussions on Thursday regarding Ukraine and its security situation. This event marked the first instance since President Donald Trump's inauguration when top officials from the United States, Ukraine, and Europe convened to discuss a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and presidential envoy Steve Witkoff were present alongside various key Ukrainian and European officials for extensive meetings at the French presidential palace.
French President Emmanuel Macron later unified the delegations for a concluding series of talks. He characterized the discussions as a significant "convergence" and announced that similar talks would proceed in London the following week. The meetings took place amidst rising concerns regarding Trump’s willingness to engage more closely with Russia and following unsuccessful U.S. attempts to mediate a ceasefire in Ukraine.
European officials expressed frustration over several U.S. policies, including tariffs affecting their closest partners, and comments concerning NATO. Rubio, active on social media, indicated that the American delegation aimed to "secure real, practical solutions to end the Russia-Ukraine war." Additionally, he communicated with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to convey the U.S. position on achieving peace.
According to a statement by State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, the Trump administration is pushing for an end to the conflict and has presented a framework that, if all parties agree, could lead to sustained peace. This round of discussions marks a departure from prior U.S. efforts, which involved separate negotiations with Ukraine and Russia without direct European participation. Experts recognized this as the first encounter between Witkoff and senior Ukrainian officials, highlighting the necessity of European involvement due to their vested interests in the situation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed his representatives to address security guarantees for Ukraine, as his team was tasked to discuss both full and partial ceasefire options, deliberately excluding matters related to Ukraine's territorial integrity. Following talks, a senior French official mentioned that U.S. delegates were "ready to discuss security guarantees," although he did not provide further details.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Andrii Yermak stated that the discussions with European allies focused on the steps needed to secure a "just and lasting peace," including achieving a full ceasefire, deploying a multinational military contingent, and developing an effective security framework for Ukraine. Notably, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, also participated in Thursday's discussions, alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and the political director of the German Foreign Ministry.
A coalition involving approximately 30 nations, led by Britain and France, is considering a potential alliance to oversee any peace agreement with Russia. The operation's success hinges on U.S. support through airpower or other military assistance; however, the Trump administration has yet to make a public commitment, which European officials deem vital. Polyakova from the Center for European Policy Analysis noted that previous peace efforts have faltered, suggesting that the reluctance of President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire is stalling the process.
During the Paris talks, Macron maintained communication with Zelenskyy and Trump, emphasizing the diplomatic success achieved through these relationships. Just hours before the meetings, Dnipro was struck by a substantial drone attack resulting in three fatalities, including a child, raising alarms about an impending Russian military offensive aimed at pressuring Kyiv and solidifying the Kremlin's negotiating stance.
Rubio and Witkoff have been central to U.S. efforts seeking peace three years after Russia instigated the conflict. Notable negotiations have occurred in Saudi Arabia, with Witkoff having recently engaged with Putin. Yet, Moscow has consistently rejected a comprehensive ceasefire that Trump has advocated, linking its acceptance to halting Ukraine's mobilizations and Western arms supplies—demands that Ukraine has firmly rejected.
As discussions unfold in the international arena regarding the war's security implications, Macron also examined Trump’s tariff strategy and Middle Eastern conflicts during the talks in Paris.
