Axios: US, Ukraine, EU set for December 13 talks on Trump’s peace plan

Senior US officials are scheduled to meet on December 13 in Paris with representatives from Ukraine, France, Germany, and the UK to discuss President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, a White House official and a Ukrainian source announced.

The meeting comes amid heightened transatlantic tensions, as Washington pressures Kyiv to swiftly accept a plan that would involve significant territorial concessions, while European allies urge caution, Axios reports.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces mounting pressure from the US to endorse the plan, which the Europeans believe requires careful deliberation. “Only Ukraine can determine what to do with its own territory,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized, reflecting discussions held during a call on December 10 between Trump, Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Merz described the call as constructive and respectful, while Trump later stated that the participants “discussed Ukraine in pretty strong words.”

The Paris meeting will see national security advisers representing Ukraine, Germany, France, and the UK, though it remains uncertain whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio—Trump’s national security adviser—will attend. Rubio led US talks with Ukraine in Geneva three weeks ago, but subsequent negotiations have been managed by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Zelenskyy and European leaders have also requested a joint call with Trump, which has not yet been scheduled.

Ukraine submitted a point-by-point response to the latest draft of Trump’s plan on December 10, proposing new approaches to contentious issues including territorial arrangements and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Moscow seeks a peace plan offering security guarantees for “all sides” and addressing the conflict’s root causes. Lavrov reiterated that Russia will not accept NATO membership for Ukraine and claimed that all misunderstandings with the US were resolved in President Vladimir Putin’s recent meeting with Witkoff and Kushner.

Despite Trump’s assertions that Putin is serious about peace, Ukrainian and European officials remain highly skeptical of Russia’s intentions.

By Vafa Guliyeva