Ukraine, U.S., European representatives to meet in Paris to discuss Trump's peace plan
global.espreso.tv
Thu, 11 Dec 2025 20:38:00 +0200

Axios reported the information.The high-level meeting will bring together national security advisers from Ukraine, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom with American representatives to seek common ground on Trump's 20-point proposal, according to White House and Ukrainian officials. The plan has sparked tensions between Washington and its European partners over the pace and terms of potential negotiations with Russia.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is facing mounting pressure from the Trump administration to quickly accept the proposal, which would require Ukraine to cede significant territory and make other substantial concessions to Moscow. European leaders, however, have urged a more cautious approach, providing reassurance to Kyiv while drawing frustration from some in Washington.The Paris talks follow a Wednesday phone call between Trump and three European leaders—French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Merz told reporters Thursday that the three leaders had emphasized to Trump that "only Ukraine can determine what to do with its own territory." While Merz described the conversation as constructive and respectful, Trump characterized it differently, saying participants "discussed Ukraine in pretty strong words."Questions remain about the composition of the American delegation. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as Trump's national security adviser, led earlier U.S. negotiations with Ukraine in Geneva three weeks ago, subsequent talks have been handled by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law.Ukraine submitted its formal response to the latest draft of the U.S. peace plan on Wednesday, according to a Ukrainian official, who said it included new proposals for resolving contentious issues such as territorial control and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday that Moscow seeks a peace agreement with security guarantees for "all sides" that addresses "the root causes of the conflict." Lavrov reiterated Russia's opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine and claimed that Russia had presented proposals for "collective security guarantees" to Washington. He suggested that misunderstandings with the U.S. were cleared up during Vladimir Putin's meeting with Witkoff and Kushner last week.Ukrainian and European officials remain deeply skeptical about Russia's commitment to genuine peace negotiations, even as Trump has expressed confidence in Putin's sincerity.






