European leaders gathered around Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a show of solidarity on Monday. This step comes at a crucial time, with a revised U.S. peace plan still uncertain and an American envoy heading to the Kremlin. The joint European backing highlights the high stakes and the unresolved splits over how to end the war.
What Did Zelenskiy Achieve in Europe?
President Zelenskiy received a warm welcome in Paris from French leader Emmanuel Macron. They were then joined by a dozen key European leaders, including those from Britain, Germany, and Poland, on a conference call. Zelenskiy stressed that Ukraine’s non-negotiable priorities in any peace deal are maintaining its sovereignty and obtaining strong security guarantees. He called on allies to ensure Russia is not rewarded for its invasion. Macron firmly stated that only Ukraine can decide the status of its territories in negotiations.
Why Are the U.S.-Ukraine Talks So Delicate?
Just before his European trip, Zelenskiy’s team held a second round of talks with U.S. negotiators in Florida. The goal was to revise a 28-point American peace plan that initially leaned heavily toward Russian demands. Zelenskiy admitted there are still “some tough issues” to resolve. The original terms, which called for Ukraine to cede more land, limit its military, and renounce NATO, were rejected by Kyiv as a blueprint for surrender. The specific changes agreed upon so far have not been made public.
Who Is Taking the Revised Plan to Moscow?
The U.S. special envoy for the talks, Steve Witkoff, has now left for Moscow. He is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday and will be joined by Trump adviser Jared Kushner. This trip places the diplomatic ball directly in Russia’s court. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the difficulty, stating Washington is “realistic about how difficult this is, but optimistic” given the progress made.
What Challenges Does Ukraine Face at Home?
These high-stakes negotiations come at a vulnerable time for Ukraine. Its forces are losing ground on the eastern battlefield. At the same time, the country is grappling with its largest corruption scandal since the war began, leading to the resignation of Zelenskiy’s chief of staff and the firing of two ministers. President Trump, who has vowed to end the war quickly, pointed to this “graft scandal” as one of Ukraine’s “difficult little problems.”
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Is Russia Changing Its Stance on the Battlefield?
While diplomacy inches forward, Russia’s military actions remain aggressive. Its forces continue a slow advance along the front line, claiming the capture of another village in the east. Away from the front, Russian missiles struck the city of Dnipro on Monday, killing at least four people and wounding dozens in a stark reminder of the war’s brutality. Russia also condemned Ukrainian attacks on a key oil terminal and Black Sea tankers, highlighting the war’s expanding economic front.
