Zelenskyy Meets Macron to Bolster Support for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on December 1, 2025, as part of a diplomatic push to strengthen support for Kyiv.

The two leaders discussed conditions for a “fair and lasting peace” amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has entered its fourth year. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized that progress depends on Russian President Vladimir Putin abandoning ambitions to reconstitute the former Soviet empire by subjugating Ukraine.

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European Defense Ministers Meet in Brussels

Meanwhile, European Union defense ministers gathered in Brussels with Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal to address collective security and Ukrainian defense needs.

EU officials expressed concern over any peace deal that might include:

• Surrendering parts of Ukraine to Russia
• Blanket amnesty preventing Russian officials from facing accountability for war crimes

These discussions reflect European efforts to support Kyiv without compromising territorial integrity or justice.

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US-Ukraine Negotiations Continue in Florida

Zelenskyy confirmed that he briefed Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Earlier, Ukrainian and US negotiators held talks in Florida, which Zelenskyy described as “very constructive”. While progress has been made from Trump’s original 28-point peace proposal, some “tough issues” remain.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the discussions as productive but noted additional work is needed, with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner scheduled to meet President Putin in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss the latest draft agreement.

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Battlefield Developments

On the ground in Ukraine:

• Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed its forces seized the settlement of Klynove in Donetsk, though this could not be independently confirmed.
• A Russian missile strike on Dnipro killed at least four people and injured 40 others, 11 critically. The attack damaged residential high-rises and an educational facility.
• Ukraine reported that 63 of 89 Russian drones launched overnight were shot down or jammed, while Russia claimed to have downed 32 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions and the Sea of Azov.

These ongoing attacks underscore the urgent need for continued diplomatic engagement to achieve a sustainable ceasefire.

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Outlook for Peace

While Ukrainian and European leaders continue to rally support, the outcome remains uncertain due to:

• Putin’s maximalist demands for Ukrainian troop withdrawal from four Russian-claimed regions
• The complex dynamics of US involvement and Trump administration negotiators
• Continued military escalation on the battlefield

Analysts note that Zelenskyy’s engagements in Paris and Brussels signal Kyiv’s determination to secure international backing and maintain pressure for a peace deal that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty.