Two weeks after visiting Paris, Volodímir Zelenski returns to the French capital this Monday to meet with the president Emmanuel Macron the process to end the war in Ukraine.
Both heads of state are expected to “discuss the situation and the conditions for a just and lasting peacebased on the conversations of Ginebra and the American plan, and in close consultation with our European partners”, as reported by the Elysée. They are also scheduled to talk about the tasks of the Volunteer Coalition regarding the security guarantees from Kyiv.
Zelensky, who has traveled with his wife, Olena Zelenska, will take advantage of the visit to attend two events at the Quai d’Orsay in the early afternoon in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, and the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati. One of the events will be related to the “Give Back the Children” initiative, led by Olena Zelenska, which “has allowed the return of almost 2,000 Ukrainian children taken from their families by Russia,” emphasized Jean-Noël Barrot.
In their last meeting on November 17, Macron and Zelensky sealed a “historic” defense agreement for kyiv which includes the purchase of 100 Rafale fightersof about 70 million euros each ship, in addition to air defense equipment and drones.
While this is happening in Paris, Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff will do the same in Moscow this weekwhere will meet with Putin to have a “productive” meeting, according to the White House, which it hopes will help advance the peace agreement.
A delicate moment for Zelensky
These meetings take place at a delicate moment for Volodymyr Zelensky after the resignation of his chief of staff, Andri Yermak, after the country’s anti-corruption authorities searched the official’s apartment and office, as part of one of their investigations. Yermak until now led the Ukrainian negotiating team in the peace talks.
“I don’t want anyone to have any doubts about Ukraine,” Zelensky said in an address to the nation in which he announced a reshuffle of the presidential office.
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