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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a whirlwind diplomatic tour of four capitals on Thursday, confirmed that a ceasefire with Russia was not being negotiated with European allies. He urged for more Western support, warning of the tough winter ahead and the critical need for further assistance.
Zelensky embarked on a 48-hour diplomatic mission, visiting London, Paris, Rome, and Berlin to request enhanced military and financial support. His tour comes as Ukraine’s allies worry that US backing might falter should Donald Trump regain the presidency in the upcoming election.
Following his discussions with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Zelensky addressed reporters and firmly rejected media claims suggesting that ceasefire terms with Russia were part of the agenda during the talks.
“This is not the topic of our discussions,” he said. “It’s not right. Russia works a lot with media disinformation so it (such reports) is understandable,” he added.
Zelensky has categorically rejected any peace plans that would entail Ukraine ceding land to Russia, insisting that Moscow’s full withdrawal of its troops from Ukrainian territory is a non-negotiable condition for future discussions.
Zelensky highlighted that in his conversation with Macron, they discussed the details of Kyiv’s “victory plan” designed to ensure Russia’s defeat, while also thanking the French president for his steadfast support of Ukraine in these challenging times.
“Before winter we need your support,” he added, acknowledging “a difficult situation in the east” and a “big deficit” in terms of some equipment.
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Without elaborating, Macron said Zelensky had outlined Ukraine’s “plan for the next weeks” and the pair had discussed strategy for the “next weeks and months”.
Macron emphasised he had reaffirmed France’s support “for the Ukrainian resistance against the Russian invasion”.
Macron emphasised he had reaffirmed France’s support “for the Ukrainian resistance against the Russian invasion”.
Ukraine is facing its toughest winter since the full-scale invasion started in February 2022, as Russia launches strikes on the country’s power grid and advances across the eastern frontline.
The talks came after Macron on Wednesday made a highly unusual visit to a military camp in eastern France, the precise location of which was not disclosed, to meet part of a brigade of Ukrainian troops France is training.
Zelensky arrived in Paris from London where he had had talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO chief Mark Rutte.
Speaking after his Downing Street meeting, Zelensky said he had “outlined the details of our victory plan”, adding that it “aims to create the right conditions for a just end to the war”.
