A significant diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine is underway, with key meetings occurring across global capitals. This comes as the conflict reaches its 1,378th day.
High-Stakes Diplomacy: From Paris to Moscow
The flurry of activity saw Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visit Paris on Monday, following talks between his team and US officials. The focus now shifts to Moscow, where US special envoy Steve Witkoff is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
Speaking in Paris, President Zelenskyy pushed back against Kremlin claims of major battlefield advances, calling them exaggerated. He reiterated that Ukraine's core demands remain security guarantees, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. "Russia must not get rewards for its aggression on Ukraine," he insisted.
Zelenskyy also expressed hope for direct talks with US President Donald Trump to discuss next steps once Witkoff returns from Russia. He noted that a revised peace plan circulating between Ukraine, Russia, and Washington now "looks better," and confirmed work on it would continue.
Warnings and Optimism Amid Ongoing Violence
However, the Moscow meeting has raised concerns among Ukraine's allies. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, warned that talks between Putin and Witkoff risk piling undue pressure on Kyiv to make concessions. "In order to have peace, we shouldn't lose focus that it's actually Russia who has started this war," Kallas stated, highlighting Russia's daily targeting of civilians and infrastructure.
This caution contrasts with optimism from the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the administration was "very optimistic" about a potential deal, citing "very good talks" with Ukrainian officials in Florida just a day earlier.
The role of envoy Steve Witkoff remains under scrutiny. Past missions have seen him return to Washington conveying Putin's maximalist demands for Ukraine's total capitulation. His position was further questioned following reports he coached a Putin adviser on how to pitch proposals to Trump.
Progress and Stalemate on the Ground
Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov reported that the Florida talks had "achieved significant progress," though some issues were unresolved. President Zelenskyy, while careful not to antagonise Trump, has firmly refused US-backed calls for Ukraine to cede hard-fought territory that Russian forces have failed to capture militarily.
The diplomatic manoeuvres unfold against a backdrop of continued violence. On Monday, a Russian missile strike hit the city of Dnipro, killing four people and wounding 40. Acting regional governor Vladyslav Haivanenko said 11 of the injured were in serious condition. The attack damaged car service stations, businesses, an office building, and 49 cars.
As envoy Witkoff shuttles into Moscow, the world watches to see if this intensified push can move the needle towards peace, or if it will simply refocus pressure on a war-ravaged Ukraine.
