France has welcomed the ongoing discussions between high-ranking US and European officials regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. During the talks held on Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio once again advocated for the US peace proposal.
President Emmanuel Macron’s office described the talks as a “positive process,” noting that Europe is eager to play an active role in efforts aimed at concluding the war, which has now been raging for over three years.
The meetings involved key figures, including President Macron, Secretary Rubio, US envoy Steve Witkoff, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and officials from Germany and Ukraine. These talks took place amid the challenge of US President Donald Trump’s attempts to broker peace, as Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has shown resistance to agreeing to a complete ceasefire.
The French presidency stated, “Today in Paris, we launched a positive process in which the Europeans are involved.” The next round of discussions will take place next week in London, involving representatives from the United States, France, Britain, Germany, and Ukraine.
Rubio reached out to Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss the Paris meetings. “President Trump and the United States want this war to end, and have now presented to all parties the outlines of a durable and lasting peace,” Rubio affirmed, according to the US State Department. He added, “The encouraging reception in Paris to the US framework shows that peace is possible if all parties commit to reaching an agreement.”
In response, Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated that Lavrov emphasized Moscow’s readiness to continue collaborating with the United States to address the underlying causes of the Ukrainian crisis. Both parties agreed to maintain communication channels, with the London meeting approaching.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite his previous tensions with Trump, also expressed support for the dialogue. “It is important that we hear each other, refine and clarify our positions, and work for the sake of real security of Ukraine and all our Europe,” Zelensky posted on social media.
However, Russian Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the Paris talks, accusing Europeans of prioritizing the continuation of the war. France and Britain have worked towards presenting a unified European stance on Ukraine’s defense during the conflict and in any potential ceasefire discussions, particularly after President Trump’s surprise engagement with Russia.
Macron called the meeting in Paris “a very important occasion for convergence,” emphasizing the shared desire for “a robust and sustainable peace.” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot remarked that the discussions marked a significant breakthrough, noting that for the first time, the United States, Ukraine, and European officials gathered together, overcoming Europe’s prior concern about being excluded from the decision-making process.
As Russia’s military actions continue, including recent strikes that have claimed numerous lives in Ukrainian cities, there is increasing pressure for renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
Zelensky previously criticized US envoy Witkoff for allegedly advancing Russian interests, accusing him of spreading Russian narratives. Witkoff had suggested that a peace deal might hinge on the status of Ukraine’s occupied territories, a notion that Zelensky vehemently opposed.
The diplomatic exchanges come as both sides prepare for further talks, with the goal of finding a path to peace.
