Peace talks on Ukraine to resume in London next week — Macron

Macron wrote about this on social network X.  

He called April 17 a day of diplomatic mobilization and emphasized that representatives of all countries who participated in the talks in Paris are united in their desire for peace and have, from the beginning, supported the U.S. President Donald Trump’s aspiration to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible. The French President stressed that “this demonstrates strong European commitment and a willingness to work closely with the United States.”  

“Today, we engaged in a positive and constructive discussion on how to achieve both a ceasefire and a comprehensive, lasting peace. I spoke with President Zelenskyy before and after the meetings to ensure coordination. Talks will continue next week in London,” Macron said.  

The French President thanked the Ukrainian and American delegations, which included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special representatives Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, Head of the Ukrainian President’s Office Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.  

He also expressed gratitude to the UK Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell and the German Federal Chancellor’s National Security Adviser Jens Plötner “for their presence and our productive discussions today on the Champs-Élysées.”  

Following the negotiations, the Ukrainian side also emphasized its commitment to peace efforts together with the United States, European, and other partners, and its desire to end the war as soon as possible, according to the President’s Office.

“Ukrainian officials once again stressed that what is needed is a complete ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to back on March 11 in Jeddah. The parties held a constructive and positive discussion on ways to achieve a full ceasefire and the further process of reaching a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace. They also agreed to maintain regular dialogue on these issues,” the statement says.

During the negotiations, participants agreed that the first step toward lasting peace must be a complete and unconditional ceasefire. At the same time, the Ukrainian delegation separately emphasized the importance of returning Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia, as well as the release of prisoners of war and civilian hostages.  

• On April 17, a Ukrainian delegation led by Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrived in Paris to discuss with representatives of the United Kingdom, Germany, and France the prospects for a ceasefire and future security guarantees for Ukraine. Senior U.S. officials Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff were also in the French capital.  
• On April 17, Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian team at the meeting in Paris did not discuss territorial issues, but focused on the ceasefire.