French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed US officials to Paris for a historic diplomatic triage. They talked about how to use this new momentum to deliver a lasting peace to the current war in Ukraine. The briefings were held last Thursday. They ended up convening President Macron, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and US envoy Steve Witkoff on the stage. Even before the summit discussion, Macron spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by phone to respond immediately to the unfolding crisis. The discussions highlighted the complexities and challenges of negotiating peace in the region, with Zelenskyy publicly accusing Witkoff of promoting Russian narratives.
Zelenskyy’s concerns were primarily directed at Witkoff’s suggestion that any potential peace deal with Russia could depend on the status of Ukraine’s occupied territories. Zelenskyy took grave exception to this claim. He argues passionately that Witkoff’s position, tongue in cheek though it may be, puts us dangerously on the side of Russian interests. Most notably, Ukraine has expressed willingness to accept former US President Donald Trump’s most recent ceasefire proposal. But Russia vetoed the proposal.
Accusations and Reactions
As the hearings proceeded, Witkoff came under blistering attack from Zelenskyy. He claimed, for instance, that “Mr. Witkoff has adopted the Russian side’s tactics. He doubled down on his underselling-it-could-be-good point of view by tweeting his concern. He continued, “I think it is very dangerous because he is either consciously or unconsciously spreading Russian narratives.
These comments highlight the increasing strain between Ukraine and the US on how to negotiate with Russia. Though Zelenskyy may be pushing for the establishment of a no-nonsense pivot to Russian aggression, Witkoff’s recommendations appear to strike a more responsive chord within Ukrainian leadership quarters. At the same time, Macron played up the significance of these talks as a way to forge consensus among the fractious Western allies.
“Everyone wants to get peace – a robust and sustainable peace. The question is about phasing,” – Emmanuel Macron
The meeting in Paris was an important step forward for transatlantic cooperation on the Ukraine crisis. So important was the gathering that Macron himself described it as “a very important occasion for convergence.” He underscored his commitment to cultivating a coordinated approach between Western countries to end the war.
Seeking Cooperation
Macron’s foreign policy adviser, Emmanuel Bonne, engaged with Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, during this significant diplomatic effort. These interactions reflect a broader strategy by the United States and European nations to collaborate more closely in their responses to the conflict.
What changed is the its dynamics, international relations expert Hashem Ahelbarra told CBS News in a recent interview. He stressed that this collaboration represents a tremendous opportunity and example of Americans working together with Europeans. He noted that Europe seeks to be more ambitious by inserting itself into ceasefire negotiations. He underscored their effectiveness to make sure Ukrainian voices are front and center in any deals made.
As the negotiations went deeper, Witkoff pointed to one amazing change. For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced willingness to attain “lasting peace” during the talks in Saint Petersburg. Despite this apparent openness, Zelenskyy is justifiably cynical as to whether it will result in real commitments on Russia’s part.
Ongoing Violence and Urgency for Peace
Even with all the most forceful diplomatic overtures, violence continues unabated in Ukraine. Yermak articulated the grim reality facing Ukrainians: “Russia uses every day and every night to kill. We must put pressure on the killers.” This unfortunate reminder of the daily reality and devastation of this conflict underscores the urgency for sustained action. Our leaders need to speak in unison and forge a durable ceasefire.
Past disappointments with peace overtures, particularly those championed by Trump, have formed a shadow of skepticism. As reported by the New York Times, Ukrainian officials are now sounding deep disappointment and doubt about negotiating with Russia. Indeed, as the Russian Foreign Ministry later confirmed, it was Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who called Rubio personally, by phone. He restated Moscow’s readiness for negotiations with Washington.
In a speech at the U.N. in Paris, Zelenskyy called on Western leaders to put more pressure on Russia to achieve a ceasefire. From this one small act, the complexity of international diplomacy was beyond apparent. The results of these conversations could have lasting impact on the future of Ukraine—and its continued fight against Russian aggression.
