On Thursday, senior US officials, including Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and diplomat Marco Rubio, are set to engage in discussions with their European counterparts in Paris, focusing on strategies to bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s foreign and defense ministers have arrived in the French capital to participate in these crucial talks. This meeting marks the highest level of transatlantic diplomacy concerning the conflict since February and will also include UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Pressure on Russia for a ceasefire
European diplomats are expected to press the US to exert increased pressure on Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire. One official emphasized,
“We want the US to use a bit more stick,”
highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The discussions come on the heels of a devastating Russian missile attack that resulted in the deaths of at least 35 individuals and left 117 injured in the Ukrainian city of Sumy. Earlier this month, another assault claimed the lives of 18 people in a residential area of Kryvyi Rih. Just this week, Ukrainian authorities reported that a Russian drone strike in Dnipro killed three people, including a young girl.
High-level engagements and future plans
Witkoff and Rubio are scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and his advisors before Secretary of State engages with Lammy and his French and German counterparts. National security advisors from various European nations will also be part of the discussions.
The US State Department has indicated that the primary focus of these talks will be on how to effectively end the hostilities in Ukraine. Witkoff will provide insights from his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at facilitating a path towards peace.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated,
“we are working on important issues for the security of Ukraine and the whole of Europe.”
This reflects the ongoing commitment to addressing security concerns that affect not just Ukraine but the broader European region.
Reflecting on past statements, Donald Trump remarked in May 2023 that he could resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine “in 24 hours” if he returned to the White House. His administration previously aimed to enhance relations with Moscow while attempting to negotiate a ceasefire. However, Zelensky has been clear that Ukraine will not accept any peace agreement that excludes its involvement in negotiations.
Tensions have escalated between Trump and Zelensky following a contentious exchange at the White House in February, during which Trump criticized the Ukrainian president for not initiating peace talks with Russia sooner.