President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday the US is holding ceasefire talks with Russia, but that the Kremlin is currently “thumbing its nose.”
Speaking at an online briefing with journalists, Zelensky was asked whether Russia is ready to agree to a ceasefire, to which he said the US and Russia are “discussing different options.”
“The Americans are definitely negotiating with the Russians. They are discussing different options,” Zelensky said. “I’ll put it very simply: For now, Russia is thumbing its nose. But our partners are strong enough and can turn [Russia’s] nose up if they want.”
Zelensky added that Ukraine is continuing talks with its partners on security guarantees on land, in the air, and at sea.
However, he said talks on security guarantees do not include the deployment of a nuclear shield by the UK or France, the only two nuclear powers in Europe.
“A separate track concerns air defense, strengthening our army, and additional funding for personnel. Staffing our brigades is critically important,” Zelensky said.
He added that Ukraine is also discussing licenses needed for joint weapons production.
The Ukrainian delegation, which includes newly appointed Presidential Office Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov, is continuing peace talks in France, with another meeting with US representatives expected later on Wednesday.
Zelensky said Ukrainian and US envoys in Paris – meeting for the third time in two days – will address the most sensitive issues, including territorial questions and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
“Ukraine does not avoid the most difficult issues and will never be an obstacle to peace,” he said, adding that a lasting settlement depends on whether Russia is genuinely prepared to end the war.
The talks follow high-level meetings in France on Tuesday, during which 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 agreement.
In Paris, Ukraine, France and the UK 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.
For the first time, the US has offered to back the force in the event of an attack – a move European leaders have described as a potential game-changer for securing a lasting peace.