Macron to Host Zelenskiy in Paris for Talks on a “Fair and Lasting Peace” in Ukraine
Paris — President Emmanuel Macron will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Paris on Monday, 1 December 2025, for high-level talks focused on defining the conditions for a “fair and lasting peace” in Ukraine, the Élysée Palace announced on Saturday.
According to the French presidency, the meeting will centre on diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the nearly three-year-old conflict, while ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable. The encounter comes at a critical moment in international diplomacy, with several Western partners seeking to revive momentum toward a negotiated end to the war.
A Strategic Visit Amid Intensifying Diplomatic Efforts
Zelenskiy’s arrival in Paris follows a week of intensified diplomatic activity, including Ukrainian delegates travelling to the United States for discussions on a new peace framework promoted by Washington. European leaders, including Macron, have been working to align positions on what a sustainable cessation of hostilities should look like — and what security guarantees Ukraine must receive to avoid a repeat of Russian aggression.
For France, the meeting is part of its broader push to reinforce European unity and assert a central role in efforts to shape the post-war order in Eastern Europe.
Security Guarantees and Ceasefire Conditions at the Heart of Discussions
Monday’s talks are expected to explore several key issues:
- The prerequisites for a durable ceasefire, including withdrawal conditions and monitoring mechanisms.
- Long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, supported by France and other European partners.
- Coordination with the U.S. peace plan, ensuring that any proposal reflects Kyiv’s interests and protects its independence.
- Strengthening military and economic support, as Ukraine continues to face massive infrastructure damage and humanitarian challenges.
Macron has repeatedly emphasized that peace “cannot mean submission” and must be grounded in respect for international law. Paris therefore aims to support Kiev in negotiations while maintaining pressure on Moscow through sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
Recent Bilateral Moves Strengthen the Paris–Kyiv Axis
This visit comes shortly after the two leaders signed a defence cooperation agreement outlining long-term French military support to Ukraine. That accord included commitments to supply additional defensive equipment, reinforce training programmes, and bolster Kyiv’s air-defence capabilities.
Monday’s meeting, however, marks a shift from military planning to diplomatic architecture — a potential first step toward shaping a roadmap for peace.
A Critical Moment for Europe and Global Stability
With winter approaching and the humanitarian toll continuing to rise, Kyiv and its Western allies hope to re-energize global attention on ending the war. For Macron, hosting Zelenskiy is an opportunity to reaffirm France’s role as a diplomatic leader in Europe, while signalling unwavering support for Ukraine.
Whether the talks will produce concrete advances remains uncertain, but both Paris and Kyiv see this meeting as an essential moment in the long quest for a negotiated, sustainable, and just peace.
