Ukrainian president visits Paris amid possible meeting with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Paris for an official visit on December 7.

During his stay, there is speculation that he may hold a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Zelenskyy’s plane landed in Paris at noon, and he is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace between 16:00 and 17:00 local time.

However, the Élysée Palace has not provided details regarding a potential trilateral meeting between the two presidents, nor has it confirmed whether Zelenskyy will have an interview with Trump. Should this occur, it would be their first meeting following the recent US elections.

On December 4, a Ukrainian delegation, led by Andriy Yermak, a senior aide to President Zelenskyy, met with senior officials from the incoming Trump administration in Washington. The delegation sought support for Ukraine's ongoing efforts to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. The meeting included Mike Waltz, Trump’s designated national security adviser, and Keith Kellogg, his special envoy for Ukraine. However, details of the discussions were not disclosed.

Trump has expressed his intention to negotiate an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict between Ukraine and Russia, although he has not provided specifics on how this would be achieved. If a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump takes place in Paris, it would offer Zelenskyy an opportunity to present his case for continued support and to gauge Trump’s stance on the matter. The two leaders had previously met during the UN General Assembly in September.

Meanwhile, with France facing political turmoil following the collapse of its government on December 5, President Emmanuel Macron may see this meeting as an opportunity to assert France’s significant role in supporting Ukraine and potentially influencing future peace negotiations. Diplomats noted that such a meeting would highlight Paris's pivotal position on the international stage.

By Vafa Guliyeva