Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Paris on Monday for high-level talks aimed at strengthening European backing for Kyiv at a moment when Donald Trump is pushing his own proposal to end the war — a plan that has stirred unease among Ukraine’s allies.
Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron and senior defence officials, seeking renewed commitments on air defence systems, ammunition supply, and long-term security guarantees. The visit comes as Ukraine faces intensified Russian attacks across the eastern front and mounting pressure to secure sustained Western support heading into winter.
French officials said the discussions focused on ramping up deliveries of artillery shells, bolstering Ukraine’s air shield, and expanding joint defence-industrial projects, including drone production. Macron reaffirmed that France “will stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary,” stressing that European security depends on preventing a Russian victory.
The diplomatic backdrop, however, is shifting. Trump has been promoting a controversial outline for a potential peace arrangement — details of which remain unclear — but which he claims could end the war quickly. Kyiv has grown increasingly wary of such proposals, fearing they may push Ukraine toward concessions on territory or sovereignty.
Zelenskyy did not comment directly on Trump’s plan during his Paris visit, but advisers travelling with him said Ukraine is determined to secure commitments from European partners before any accelerated diplomatic push from Washington. “We must not allow decisions about Ukraine to be shaped without Ukraine,” one official said.
Analysts note that Zelenskyy’s trip reflects both urgency and strategy: Europe remains Ukraine’s most stable source of support, but internal political shifts in several EU countries — combined with Trump’s growing pressure — have raised concerns about wavering unity.
The Paris meetings will be followed by additional stops across Europe as Kyiv works to lock in defence packages and ensure it is not sidelined in emerging negotiations. For Zelenskyy, the message remains constant: Ukraine needs weapons, guarantees, and diplomatic backing — not rushed deals that could leave the war unresolved.