President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Ukraine’s territorial integrity remains the most formidable obstacle in ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, even as U.S. diplomatic activity accelerates on multiple fronts, according to BBC News.
Speaking in Paris after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron and joining a call with European leaders, Zelensky underscored that Kyiv’s core priorities in any peace agreement are safeguarding national sovereignty and securing durable security guarantees. “The territorial issue is the most difficult,” he said, reiterating that Ukraine will not cede the remaining areas of the eastern Donbas still under its control territory Russia insists must be relinquished.
His remarks came as Ukrainian and U.S. officials wrapped up two days of talks in Florida aimed at restructuring a draft peace plan that had sparked alarm in Kyiv and across Europe for leaning too heavily toward Moscow’s demands. The White House struck a confident note, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying the administration feels “very optimistic” about a possible deal. Zelensky, however, sounded more restrained, calling the discussions “very constructive” while acknowledging that “some tough issues” remain unresolved.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who participated in the Florida meetings, is now en route to Moscow for a rare face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Jared Kushner, adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump, will join the talks. Witkoff has already briefed Zelensky, Macron, Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and is expected to relay their positions directly to the Kremlin.
Macron emphasized that no final plan exists and insisted that Ukraine and Europe must be central in shaping any proposal, especially regarding frozen Russian assets, security guarantees, and Ukraine’s future ties with the EU. While praising U.S. efforts to push toward a settlement, he cautioned that Russia has repeatedly dismissed peace overtures. “They don’t seem in a rush,” he said.
Meanwhile, the war grinds on. A Russian missile strike on the city of Dnipro Monday killed four people and injured 40, according to Ukrainian officials, amid reports that a ballistic missile may have been used.
Zelensky’s diplomatic push unfolds as he faces a domestic corruption scandal that prompted the resignation of his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, following a raid on his home. Though not accused of wrongdoing, the episode has drawn sharp attention including from Trump, who referred to Ukraine’s “difficult little problems” over the weekend.
