Donald Trump, the newly elected President of the United States, recently attended a trilateral meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This brief encounter marked Trump’s first international visit since his election victory over Kamala Harris, and it coincided with the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, which suffered extensive damage in a fire in 2019. Despite arriving late by 40 minutes to the Elysee Palace, Trump and Macron shared a warm reception, with Macron expressing honor in hosting the incoming U.S. leader. Zelensky joined them a bit later, and their discussions lasted approximately thirty-five minutes but concluded without a formal joint statement.
Following their meeting, both Macron and Zelensky used social media to highlight the positive nature of the discussions. Macron emphasized a commitment to “common action for peace and security,” while Zelensky described the dialogue as “good and productive.” He expressed gratitude for Trump’s resolve and reiterated the desire to conclude the ongoing war in Ukraine swiftly and justly. Zelensky indicated that the talks included vital issues concerning the situation on the ground and acknowledged Trump’s mantra of achieving “peace through strength.”
During his campaign, Trump asserted the audacious promise of resolving the Ukraine conflict within just 24 hours of taking office. However, he provided minimal details on how he would fulfill this pledge, primarily suggesting negotiations between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin as a pathway to peace. Recent media narratives suggest that Trump is considering a strategy to effectively “freeze” the conflict along the current battle lines, employing the leverage of U.S. aid as a tool to induce negotiations from both Ukrainian and Russian leaders.
Zelensky champions his own ten-point peace formula as the legitimate path toward achieving a “just peace” with Russia. However, Russian officials have dismissed this proposal as unrealistic, deeming it “delusional.” Key elements of Zelensky’s plan call for the restoration of Ukraine’s pre-1991 borders, reparations from Russia, and accountability for war crimes against Ukrainian officials. In stark contrast, the Kremlin demands that any agreement start with Ukraine ceasing all military actions and acknowledging the “territorial reality” that should reserve Crimea and the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye under Russian control.
The distinct differences in proposed peace solutions highlight a complex clash in negotiating positions between Ukraine and Russia. Zelensky’s insistence on a full restoration of territorial boundaries conflicts sharply with Russia’s assertions about achieving its objectives, such as Ukraine’s neutral status and demilitarization, conditions which Russia has framed as non-negotiable. Thus, while the meeting in Paris signified an initial attempt at dialogue and collaboration on these pressing issues, underlying tensions remain, as both leaders strive for distinct outcomes amid an evolving and fraught geopolitical landscape.
Moving forward, the interactions among the U.S., Ukraine, and France will be pivotal in determining the future of the Ukrainian conflict. Both Zelensky and Trump appear committed to maintaining open channels for communication and shared efforts toward peace. As Zelensky stated, “We all want this war to end,” and the emphasis from both world leaders on a desire to achieve peace underscores the broader international aspiration for stability in Eastern Europe. However, the path to peace will likely be fraught with obstacles, given the entrenched positions of both sides and the pressing realities on the ground, raising questions about the feasibility of either leader’s proposed solutions in the near future.