French President Emmanuel Macron will welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Monday, December 1, for talks focused on efforts to secure a “just and lasting peace”, the French presidency announced.
The news came amid political instability in Ukraine following the corruption scandal. It led to the resignation of Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian delegation led by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia left for the United States for a meeting on Sunday, November 30, with Stephen Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, to continue discussions on a peaceful settlement of the conflict between Kiev and Moscow.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told La Tribune Dimanche that France would “welcome President Zelensky to Paris on Monday to move the negotiations forward“. He said peace was achievable "if President Vladimir Putin abandons his delusional hope of restoring the Soviet empire by first subduing Ukraine."
Barrot warned that Russia must accept a ceasefire or face "new sanctions that will devastate its economy," along with increased European support for Ukraine. He added that Macron and Zelensky were in frequent contact, with the Ukrainian leader last visiting Paris on November 17.
Despite the turmoil in Ukraine, Barrot said Zelensky retained "full legitimacy to lead Ukraine towards peace." "As for corruption cases, they must be dealt with by competent authorities and must not hinder the peace process," France's top diplomat said.