**US and Europe Unite to End Ukraine War: Talks Held in Paris**
In a significant move, Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and top diplomat Marco Rubio met with European and Ukrainian counterparts in Paris to discuss efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. The talks, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, marked the highest level of transatlantic engagement on the issue since February.
The meeting came as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky urged those present to put “pressure” on Russia to agree to a ceasefire. He emphasized that Russia was using every opportunity to kill Ukrainians, highlighting the urgent need for an end to the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the talks, claiming European leaders were focused on continuing the war.
**Pressure from Europe and Ukraine**
The day of talks began with a lunchtime meeting at Elysée Palace between Macron, Witkoff, and US Secretary of State Rubio. The US delegation then met Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, as well as national security advisors for Germany and the UK. Separate meetings were held between foreign ministers and defense ministers.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that they had discussed paths to a fair and lasting peace, including a full ceasefire, multinational contingent, and security guarantees for Ukraine. Ahead of the talks, European diplomats had said they would urge the US to pressure Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire.
**Renewed Push for Ceasefire**
The meeting came just days after a Russian missile attack killed at least 35 people and injured 117 in the Ukrainian city of Sumy. A week prior, another Russian strike on a residential area in Kryvyi Rih killed at least 18 people. Overnight on Wednesday, Ukrainian authorities said a Russian drone attack on Dnipro killed three people, including a young girl.
**US and Russia: Mixed Messages**
Following the meeting last week between Witkoff and Putin in St Petersburg, the US envoy stated that the Russian president was open to “permanent peace.” However, Moscow rejected a proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire agreed upon by the US and Ukraine last month. In May 2023, Trump said he would be able to settle the war between Russia and Ukraine “in 24 hours.”
**Tensions and Diplomatic Efforts**
The meeting also highlighted tensions between Trump and Zelensky, with both leaders having heated confrontations at the White House in February. Zelensky had warned that Ukraine would not accept a peace deal if his country was not involved in negotiations for any such agreement.
In response to the talks, Russia’s top economic negotiator claimed that some countries were trying to “derail” Moscow’s talks with Washington. The diplomatic efforts reflect the complexities of the conflict and the need for continued international pressure to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
As we continue to follow the twists and turns of Trump’s second term, it is clear that ending the war in Ukraine will require sustained effort from world leaders. Will the Paris talks be a step towards peace, or another chapter in the ongoing conflict? Only time will tell.
