Top Ukrainian officials discuss ceasefire, security guarantees with UK, German, French delegations

Andriy Yermak announced this on his Telegram channel. 

He said that during the negotiations at the Élysée Palace, representatives from the countries that are part of the Coalition of the Willing participated on behalf of Ukraine’s partners: Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France; Jonathan Powell, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; and Jens Plötner, National Security Advisor to the Federal Chancellor of Germany.

“We exchanged views on the next steps toward achieving a just and lasting peace, including the implementation of a full ceasefire, the involvement of a multinational military contingent, and the development of an effective security architecture for Ukraine. It was a very substantive conversation. We continue our work,” emphasized Yermak.

Later, Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, reported a productive meeting in Paris to end the war, posting a photo with Yermak and Umerov.

Macron received Rubio and Witkoff at the Élysée Palace

On April 17, the Élysée Palace also reported that Macron received U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s special representative Steve Witkoff.  

During the meeting, the French leader and the American representatives discussed the Coalition of the Willing and peace negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The Guardian also reported on a second round of talks between Macron, Rubio, and Witkoff, together with representatives of the Ukrainian, German, and British administrations, including Yermak and Umerov.  

The French president’s residence clarified that Macron invited the UK’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and his diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne to take part in the discussion.

What preceded?

Earlier, the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office had announced his arrival in Paris together with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

“I have just landed in Paris. We arrived together with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov,” Yermak said. 

He said that a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings with representatives of the coalition states willing and able to guarantee security, in particular from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, are planned during the visit.

“We are also planning meetings with representatives of the United States, who are currently in France. We are working on important issues for the security of Ukraine and the whole of Europe,” added the head of the Presidential Office.

• Earlier, the press service of the U.S. State Department confirmed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump's special representative Steve Witkoff will visit France this week to discuss the war in Ukraine, among other things.