Visit to France: Zelensky calls meetings with Trump and Macron productive

Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelenskyj described his meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump and French head of state Emmanuel Macron in Paris as good and productive. “President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him for that. My thanks also go to Emmanuel for organizing this important meeting,” Zelensky wrote in the short message service X after the talks in the Élysée Palace.

“We all want this war to end as quickly as possible and in a just manner. We talked about our people, the situation on the battlefield and about a just peace for Ukraine,” Zelensky also said on Telegram. They agreed to continue working together. “Peace through strength is possible,” said Zelensky.

Trump is currently a guest in France – on his first trip abroad since winning the election at the beginning of November. In the evening, at Macron’s invitation, he wanted to take part in the ceremonial reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. On January 20th, Trump will be sworn in as president.

There is great fear in Ukraine that Trump could drastically reduce US military aid to the country attacked by Russia, thus causing a defeat for Kiev. The USA is still Ukraine’s most important supporter and largest arms supplier. There are also fears in many EU states that Trump could enforce an unbalanced ceasefire agreement that could effectively make Russia and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin appear to be the victors of the war of aggression.