French President Emmanuel Macron hosted top diplomats from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine on Thursday to discuss a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Macron emphasized the importance of finding a sustainable peace, saying “everyone wants peace.” However, there are concerns about the pace of progress. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized US special envoy Steve Witkoff for adopting Russia’s strategy and pushing for a potential peace deal that could center on Ukraine’s occupied territories.
Zelenskyy stated that such talks were “very dangerous” as they spread Russian narratives and undermined the sovereignty of Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian president also pointed out that European leaders were more forceful in their condemnation of Russia’s actions, which killed 35 civilians and injured 100 during a strike on Sumy.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has been criticized for its soft response to the conflict. Macron called Zelenskky before and after Thursday’s meetings and plans further talks with European leaders next week in London.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/17/nx-s1-5368209/rubio-paris-ukraine-russia-peace-talks