European leaders convene in Paris to discuss Ukraine cease-fire security guarantees

European leaders began meeting in Paris at the Élysée Palace on Tuesday for the latest round of talks on peace for Ukraine, focusing on security commitments in the event of a potential cease-fire. National leaders and representatives of 35 countries attended the meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, and about 27 heads of government were expected.

President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner were among the U.S. advisers present, a presence the French hosts took as a sign of American commitment after a tumultuous year in which Mr. Trump proved fickle and at times even hostile to Europe and Ukraine. The advisers’ presence was complicated by the U.S.

military raid on Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the country’s former authoritarian leader, an action about which Ukrainians have been divided. Russia is not involved in the negotiations, and any cease-fire appears remote. President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed growing skepticism, saying, "I understand that we are very close to results, but at some point, Russia may block everything." The meeting follows months of diplomacy that included an American-backed plan in November seen as aligned with Russian demands and a later 20-point plan that Mr.

Zelensky described as "nearly complete" after meetings with Mr. Trump, though some of the thorniest issues remain unresolved.

Key Topics

World, Ukraine, Élysée Palace, Paris, Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron