PARIS — On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that he facilitated a “positive and productive” conversation between high-ranking European, American, and Ukrainian representatives aiming to negotiate an agreement with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine. However, no immediate progress was evident from these discussions.
The emergency discussions held in Paris, which were called just one day prior, signaled the beginning of an organized European initiative aimed at intervening in the U.S.-driven efforts to conclude the ongoing three-year conflict. This move comes as Europe grows increasingly uneasy due to the Trump administration’s attempts to improve relations with Moscow.
“We are demonstrating a European commitment and a willingness to work closely with the United States,” Macron wrote on social media after meetings concluded, dubbing Thursday “a day of diplomatic mobilization.” Talks are expected to resume next week in London, the French leader added, though it was not immediately clear whether Russia, which was not involved in this round of meetings, would participate.
The gatherings in Paris took place amid escalating tensions between Washington and Europe regarding several other matters, such as the direction of Iran’s nuclear initiative and how Europe would be affected by Trump’s highly confrontational trade strategy.
On Thursday, diplomacy provided a morale boost for European leaders who were asserting a stronger presence in negotiations that could substantially shape the continent’s trajectory. However, U.S. officials didn’t readily share President Emmanuel Macron’s optimism. “It’s wonderful that the French are pleased,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce to reporters in Washington. “But what truly counts is the outcome.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio headed the U.S. delegation participating in discussions held at Élysée Palace. Joining him were retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, the U.S. envoy for the Ukraine conflict, along with Steve Witkoff, an additional special envoy just back from a trip to Moscow. No statements were made publicly after the meetings concluded on Thursday.
Ukraine’s main European supporters have intensified their efforts to exert pressure on Moscow, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin must provide President Donald Trump with a response regarding his request for a comprehensive truce. These European officials have attempted to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Kyiv, while urging the Trump administration to adopt a more stringent stance against Russia. This comes amid a precarious 30-day agreement where both parties committed to halting assaults on one another’s energy facilities.
nears its end
.
Rubio met with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany, and separately with a delegation from Ukraine led by Andriy Yermak, who heads Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidential office, and the country’s foreign and defense ministers.
Rubio additionally had a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday, as reported by the State Department following the discussions in Paris.
“The Secretary relayed to his Russian counterpart the identical message that the U.S. team shared with both the Ukrainian delegation and our European allies during the meeting in Paris: President Trump and the United States seek an end to this conflict, and they have outlined a potential for enduring and lasting peace to all involved parties,” stated Bruce, who serves as the State Department spokesperson.
The proposed 30-day energy cease-fire, initiated by the United States with the aim of leading to a comprehensive truce and negotiations for peace, has not resulted in an expanded halt to combat operations in Ukraine. This was particularly evident on Palm Sunday.
a Russian missile attack
killed 35 individuals and injured over 100, primarily civilians, in the city of Sumy.
The attack on Sumy occurred just two days following Witkoff’s most recent trip to Russia, which
included a session with Putin
. Rubio issued a
statement
Expressions of sympathy for the victims failed to satisfy some Ukrainians because they felt it didn’t denounce Russia. Additionally, Trump’s characterization of the incident as a “mistake” infuriated numerous people.
From Kyiv on Thursday, Zelensky voiced his ongoing disapproval of Witkoff’s methods, charging that the U.S. representative has embraced Russian talking points. He expressed gratitude towards Macron for his “guidance,” mentioning that he had two discussions with the French leader that day.
Zelensky stated that enduring peace would “hinge directly on the fairness of diplomatic stances and the efficacy of the security framework.”
Russian authorities dismissed all critiques regarding how the U.S. managed the negotiations. “A multitude of individuals, organizations, and nations are attempting to obstruct our discussions with the United States,” stated Kirill Dmitriev, who leads Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and acts as President Putin’s top negotiator, during a press briefing in Moscow. He added that anti-Russian propaganda has been intensifying across different forms of American media outlets.
A spokesperson for Putin, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Russia anticipates the U.S. will communicate the details of the recent discussions between Russian and American officials. He also noted, “What we observe among the Europeans is an emphasis on perpetuating the conflict.”
Although Trump has sought negotiations with Russia, France and Britain have aimed to strengthen a Western alliance offering security assurances to Ukraine. This month, they sent military experts to the country for planning purposes.
They are developing strategies for a “reassurance force” consisting of approximately 25,000 soldiers who might be deployed outside the frontline areas within Ukraine should an agreement be reached. Alternative situations include a more significant involvement of aerial and naval forces, along with a reduced contribution from Europe aimed at offering instructional and logistical assistance to the Ukrainian military.
Even as they develop these strategies and assert that allies have expressed their willingness to provide logistical support or equipment, the Franco-British effort aims to convince other European nations to commit publicly.
commit troops has faltered
in the face of doubts that Washington is willing to back such a force.
Russia has opposed the deployment of troops from other countries in Ukraine.
European officials hope not just for
U.S. involvement to help deter Russia
Not only have they targeted their forces, but also U.S. intelligence and aerial support. According to them, the Trump administration hasn’t dismissed any options; however, it hasn’t made any specific commitments either.
The Trump administration has emphasized that it anticipates Europe will assume responsibility for ensuring
Ukraine’s future
and the
continent’s defenses
.
In Ukraine, people are becoming increasingly frustrated with the absence of significant developments towards a ceasefire.
Artem Kuznetsov, who serves as the deputy mayor of Sumy, mentioned in an interview following this week’s assault that he had initially been heartened by Trump’s focus on swiftly bringing the conflict to a close. However, he observed a change in Trump’s statements since assuming office. He went on to say that the energy ceasefire does not constitute a genuine cessation of hostilities.
“I don’t think our adversaries have ceased attacking energy facilities. Their aim is to destroy us, be it power plants or ordinary people—they show no concern,” he stated.
Francis provided coverage from Brussels. Siobhán O’Grady in Kyiv also contributed to this report.
