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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered a cautiously optimistic assessment of ongoing peace negotiations with the United States on Monday, saying the emerging plan "looks better" while acknowledging that territorial disputes remain the most formidable obstacle to any settlement.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelenskyy outlined three core challenges facing negotiators: territorial boundaries, financial reconstruction, and security guarantees. He emphasized that resolving Ukraine's future borders continues to dominate discussions, with Ukrainian and American officials spending more than six hours focused solely on specific territorial points.
"The territorial issue is the most difficult, the issue of money and restoration is difficult to accept without the presence of European partners," Zelenskyy said. "And the issue of security guarantees – specifics from the US and Europe are important. We need to be very careful here, but the plan looks better."
The Ukrainian president revealed that Washington has completed presenting its framework to Kyiv and now plans to share the same proposals with Moscow. This represents a significant procedural step in the diplomatic process, moving discussions beyond bilateral talks between Ukraine and the United States to include Russia directly.
Zelenskyy said he expects detailed feedback from his negotiating team on Tuesday after they travel to Ireland, where they will provide him with a step-by-step briefing on the current state of negotiations.
The lengthy discussions on territorial matters underscore the complexity of finding common ground on Ukraine's borders, a central point of contention since Russia's military operations began. Security guarantees represent another critical component, with Zelenskyy stressing the need for concrete commitments from both American and European partners rather than general assurances.
Addressing domestic political developments, Zelenskyy confirmed he will hold consultations about selecting a new head of the presidential office following Andriy Yermak's resignation. Anti-corruption officials recently searched Yermak's office, though Zelenskyy did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the departure.
The president indicated that his choice for Yermak's successor will depend on multiple considerations, including management approach and an enhanced emphasis on diplomatic engagement. He plans to make this decision after returning to Kyiv.
Zelenskyy's remarks highlighted the essential role European partners must play in any comprehensive peace agreement, particularly regarding financial reconstruction. His comments suggest that Ukraine views a settlement as requiring not just an end to hostilities but also substantial international commitments to rebuild the country's infrastructure and economy.
The Paris setting for these statements reinforced the importance of maintaining European support throughout the negotiation process, with Macron's presence underscoring France's continued engagement in seeking a diplomatic resolution.
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