Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday he would hold a meeting with leaders of Kyiv’s allies next week in France, as diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia intensified.
Zelenskyy said on social media that the summit will be preceded by a meeting of security advisers from countries allied to Kyiv on 3 January.
“Shortly after that, discussions will take place at the leaders’ level – the meetings are necessary. We are planning it for January 6 in France,” Zelenskyy said.
The January meetings will take place as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion looms and as fighting has carried on throughout recent weeks of diplomatic flurry.
Speaking to journalists shortly after his announcement, Zelenskyy elaborated that the national security advisers will “go through all the documents, all the groundwork” before leaders discuss them at the France summit.
The advisers will then meet again on 7 January to “refine things” – he said.
Zelenskyy said Kyiv was hoping for a meeting with both European leaders and US President Donald Trump after that.
Zelenskyy held talks with Trump in Florida over the weekend – with both Kyiv and Washington saying progress on a US plan to end the war was made, but giving no sign of a breakthrough on major issues.
(vib)