Volodymyr Zelenskyy first meeting with Donald Trump since the US election was focused on Ukraine’s need for security guarantees as part of any negotiated end to its war with Russia. The December 7 meeting, held in Paris and hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, lasted 35 minutes and was conducted without advisers present.
During the conversation, Zelenskyy aimed to build rapport with Trump, whose proposal for a swift resolution to the conflict has raised concerns in Kyiv about potential compromises that could favor Russia. While the leaders did not discuss specifics about a peace settlement, Trump reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations to end the war quickly.
Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity of security guarantees, arguing that a ceasefire alone would not be sufficient, given Russian President Vladimir Putin’s history of breaking such agreements. According to sources familiar with the discussion, Zelenskyy made the case that any peace deal must include concrete protections to prevent future Russian aggression. Trump appeared to be receptive, focusing on the details of the issue.
The meeting provided early insight into how future negotiations to end the war might unfold. However, the complexity of involving Putin in the process and the uncertain role of the US in the talks left significant questions unanswered. Zelenskyy’s office has been advocating for NATO membership and stronger security assurances, fearing that without such guarantees, Ukraine will remain vulnerable to further Russian advances.
This dialogue comes amid continued Russian territorial gains in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region and ongoing drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, creating a growing sense of uncertainty in Kyiv. Despite the challenges, Zelenskyy has recently softened his stance on the need to expel all Russian forces, acknowledging that a diplomatic resolution could ultimately save lives.
