Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders say they are now more comfortable with the draft proposals. Photograph: Peter Morrison/APThe Kremlin said the involvement of Kyiv and other European capitals in US-led negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war was damaging prospects for peace, but welcomed the growing possibility of talks between Russian president Vladimir Putin and French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. Russian president Vladimir Putin (right) and Russian presidential foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov. In response, Mr Macron’s administration said it was “welcome that the Kremlin has publicly agreed to this approach. We will decide in the coming days on the best way to proceed.”The Elysée said any talks would be conducted “in full transparency” with Kyiv and European allies in the search for a “solid and lasting peace” for Ukraine.

Source: The Irish Times December 21, 2025 18:57 UTC