The Ukrainian delegation, which includes the newly-appointed Presidential Office Head Kyrylo Budanov, is continuing peace negotiations in France, with another meeting with representatives of the United States expected on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Zelensky said that Ukrainian and US envoys in Paris – meeting for the third time in two days – are set to address the most sensitive issues, including territorial disputes and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
“Ukraine does not avoid the most difficult issues and will never be an obstacle to peace,” Zelensky said, stressing that a lasting settlement depends on whether Russia is genuinely prepared to end the war.
The negotiations follow high-stakes talks in France on Tuesday, where Zelensky met with European leaders, US envoys, and key allies to finalize what officials described as “robust” security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a potential peace deal.
In Paris, Ukraine, France, and the United Kingdom signed a declaration of intent to deploy a multinational force in Ukraine. The document was signed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Zelensky.
Under the agreement, Britain and France plan to establish military hubs across Ukraine, enabling a potential boots-on-the-ground presence and supporting post-war reconstruction efforts.
For the first time, the United States has offered to back the force in the event of an attack – a move European leaders have described as a potential game-changer in efforts to secure a lasting peace.
Apart from Kyrylo Budanov, the negotiating team includes Rustem Umerov, Andriy Hnatov, Serhii Kyslytsia, Davyd Arakhamia, and presidential adviser Oleksandr Bevz.