Zelensky and Macron are seeking to develop a peace plan in a context of corruption and tensions

When the Ukrainian Pres Volodymyr Zelensky Weakened than ever by the corruption issue within his government, the head of state arrived in Paris on Monday For the tenth time He is scheduled to be received by French President Emmanuel Macron. This time he attended with his wife, Olena Zelenska, who managed to release nearly 2,000 Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia during the invasion of Ukraine.

Facing massive news attention, while there are Ukrainian-American negotiations In Florida In a gesture of European solidarity, Macron embraced Zelensky in the middle of the Elysee courtyardIn front of the Republican Guard. They immediately headed to the meeting alone. No translators, assistants, or note takers. The press conference will be held later. The journalists were asked to leave the meeting room, leaving the two leaders alone.

“It will be a very productive day,” Volodymyr Zelensky said on the X program.

On the way to the Elysee Palace, the Ukrainian president exchanged his thoughts before the talks with his French counterpart. “Today we have planned to hold talks with our European friends. It will be a very productive day. Diplomacy, defense and energy: the priorities are clear. “Thank you to everyone who helps us!” Written on X.

According to the French presidency, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky “will discuss the situation and… Conditions for a just and lasting peace“They will also review the work done on security guarantees within the framework of the Will Coalition.”

Zelensky arrives in Paris for the tenth time, more weak than ever politically and diplomatically. Just as Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, did. He will meet with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Moscow Strong attacks against Ukraine continue.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced today, Monday, during his daily press conference that “the two sides will continue talks on the American plan to end the war in Ukraine.”

The Hallandale Beach negotiations between the United States and Ukraine are taking place without Andriy Yermak, Volodymyr Zelensky’s former chief of staff and right-hand man, who is suspected of involvement in a wide-ranging corruption scandal. This close collaborator of the Ukrainian president, who until now had been in charge of diplomatic efforts, was fired on Friday.

At this precise moment, Macron wants to offer European solidarity, which is what Trump and Putin want to exclude from peace negotiations in Ukraine. He and Zelensky will discuss the peace plan and security guarantees. The two heads of state are scheduled to hold a press conference after the meeting.

Zelensky faces serious diplomatic and domestic problems due to isolation from Trump and corruption in his government.

A week ago, the Ukrainian president arrived in Geneva Change of 28-point pro-Russian plan For the peace plan drafted by the British Jonathan Powell and reduced it to 19 points, Without transferring Ukrainian sovereignty.

A North American delegation traveled to the United States to try to end the war. but A new plan has emerged from Trump and Putin: Trump, without consulting Ukraine or Europe, wants to recognize Ukrainian territories as Russian in Crimea and Donetsk and does not care what the Europeans think.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that Moscow categorically reject any peace plan that does not prevent Kiev from joining NATO, ceding territory to Russia and allowing Putin to limit the size of the Ukrainian army.

At the same time, we have never been closer to reaching an agreement to end the war. The goal of participating in the Trump-led peace process in Ukraine is to avoid accusations of obstructing it. A kind of diplomatic farce to avoid angering Trump, who might eventually reach peace.

For Zelensky, the problem is corruption in his government. The investigation is expanding into the alleged bribery scandal in the nuclear energy sector, allegedly led by an aide to the Ukrainian president.

The case began with an accusation Timur Mendićan old friend and business partner of the Ukrainian president in the television production company Kvartal 95, which was founded by the current president before entering politics, and which was accused of being the organizer. Mendic fled to IsraelHe left his apartment in Kiev’s government district hours before investigators arrived to arrest him.

Units of anti-corruption agencies raided the home and office of Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief advisor and chief of staff, last Friday. This was a fatal blow to the president’s reputation. Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies confirmed that the raids were part of an investigation, but did not specify whether Yermak was a suspect. NABU and SAPO are “effectively implementing procedural measures internally,” Zelensky’s Chief of Staff confirmed on Telegram.

Andriy Yermak resigned on Friday, after his home was raided by officials amid a growing corruption scandal in Kiev.

“Investigators found no obstacles,” Yermak wrote on Telegram on Friday morning as officials searched his apartment. “For my part, I am cooperating fully.” But then he reported it He was heading to the front to fight.

The raids are likely to exacerbate tensions between Zelensky and his political opponents. Zelensky has now announced the reorganization of his presidential office on Telegram, noting that Yermak has resigned.

NABU and SAPO, the two Ukrainian agencies, this month revealed a comprehensive investigation into the matter Alleged $100 million bribery scheme At the State Atomic Energy Corporation, which included former senior officials and a former business partner of Zelensky.

In early November, investigators from the country’s National Bureau of Violence claimed to have discovered a high-level criminal conspiracy within the government. The insiders allegedly received bribes of between 10% and 15% from business partners of Energoatom, Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear power generation company and largest energy supplier.

On Saturday in an interview with La Tribune DimancheFrench Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized that Zelensky “has full legitimacy to guide Ukraine towards peace.” He stated that cases of corruption “must be dealt with by the competent institutions, without interfering in the peace process.”

USA No longer allocates funds to aid Ukraine. It shares military intelligence essential for Kyiv’s long-range attacks against Russia. But since it’s all business for Trump, he sells weapons to Ukraine’s European allies, who then transfer them to Ukraine. Among them are Patriot missiles necessary for the defense of Kyiv.

Trump continues to pressure Ukraine. The White House announced Tuesday that it cannot continue selling weapons to NATO countries forever. The comment was interpreted as a veiled threat that Washington might cut off arms sales, which are vital for Kiev if Zelensky does not reach a deal soon.

Negotiations were complicated by: Leaked phone conversation between Steve Witkoffand the US special envoy and senior Kremlin negotiators in October. In one of those calls, Witkov told Yuri Ushakov, a senior Russian political adviser, that he had “deep respect for President Putin.”

Witkoff told him that the peace agreement in Ukraine would be based on the “agreed 20-point plan for Gaza” and that “Putin should praise Trump’s diplomacy in the Middle East”. Yuri Ushakov responded that Putin would say that “Trump is a real pacifist.” The leak weakens Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the negotiations in Florida last night, and worries Europe, which Trump and Putin want to isolate.

Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron received Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife before having lunch with the couple. The presidential couple will travel to the Quai d’Orsay, in the early afternoon, to attend two events, in the presence of Jean-Noel Barrot and Culture Minister Rachida Dati.

The first verb will be linked to “Giving back to children” initiative Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed that this aid was sponsored by Olena Zelenska, which “allowed the return of nearly 2,000 Ukrainian children who were taken from their families by Russia.”

“Let us remember that this heinous war crime is the reason why an arrest warrant was issued against Vladimir Putin by the International Criminal Court,” the French Foreign Minister said.

The Ukrainian head of state and his wife will later participate in the launch of the Ukrainian cultural season in France to “confirm,” according to Jean-Noel Barrot, “that war is not fought only with tanks and cannons: it is also fought with weapons of the mind.”

Russia launched Hundreds of drones and missiles against Kyiv and the surrounding area over the weekend, causing several deaths, dozens of injuries, and impact on energy infrastructure. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for naval drone attacks on tankers belonging to Russia’s “ghost fleet.”

At least three people were killed and 15 others wounded in a Russian missile attack on Monday on the main city of Dnipro in east-central Ukraine, a regional governor said.

“We have information at the moment indicating three deaths,” Governor Vladislav Jevanenko announced on Telegram. 15 people were also reported injured, six of whom were in serious condition.

Following his meeting with Emmanuel Macron in Paris, the Ukrainian president is expected to arrive in Ireland on Monday evening on his first official visit to the European Union member state. Militarily neutral.

During this visit, which is expected to last about 24 hours, Zelensky is also scheduled to open an economic forum between Ireland and Ukraine to develop trade relations between the two countries, according to Michel Martin.

Ireland which He will hold the rotating presidency of the European Union In the second half of 2026, it supports Ukraine’s accession to the European bloc.