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In their first meeting since the U.S. election, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized to Donald Trump the importance of security assurances in any potential peace agreement with Russia. The discussion took place during a Paris meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on December 7.

The three leaders engaged in a private 35-minute conversation without advisers present. While specific peace plans weren’t discussed, Trump expressed his desire for an immediate ceasefire and swift conflict resolution, according to four sources briefed on the meeting.

The encounter provided insight into potential future peace negotiations, though the process remains complex, particularly given Russian President Vladimir Putin’s involvement and uncertainty surrounding America’s role.

Sources described Trump as attentive and cordial during the meeting. When asked for comment, Trump’s team did not immediately respond.

Trump’s team has remained tight-lipped about their specific vision for ending the conflict and addressing Ukraine’s security concerns. This has intensified uncertainty in Kyiv, especially given Russia’s recent territorial advances in the Donbas region and ongoing drone strikes on Ukrainian cities.

“Some key points were mentioned during the meeting – for example, it was said that peace needs guarantees because a ceasefire alone isn’t enough, Putin could break it again, as he has done before, without proper guarantees,” a source in the Ukrainian president’s office said.

When asked about Trump’s response to these concerns, the source noted, “He’s thinking about all the details.”

Kyiv continues pressing the current U.S. administration for NATO membership, arguing for robust security guarantees against future Russian aggression. This stance persists even as Zelenskyy has recently shown more openness to diplomatic solutions to save lives.

Trump’s diplomatic approach typically centers on personal connections, with several officials noting that he’ll ultimately determine the path forward. His direct interactions with Zelenskyy have been notably more positive than his campaign trail rhetoric, where he’s called the Ukrainian leader “the greatest salesman on Earth” for securing billions in U.S. military aid.

During the Paris meeting, Macron and Zelenskyy presented a united front while carefully avoiding pressuring Trump. Leveraging his diplomatic experience, Macron worked alongside Zelenskyy to outline their perspective while emphasizing Kyiv’s dependence on U.S. support.

According to a Ukrainian official, Zelenskyy believes Putin only truly fears Trump and possibly China internationally, suggesting that lasting peace requires strong American involvement.

Given Trump’s criticism of European NATO contributions, Macron highlighted Europe’s substantial support for Ukraine and willingness to share security responsibilities with the United States.

The leaders also emphasized to Trump that Putin’s current stance differs from their previous interactions in 2017. They referenced Syrian President Assad’s rapid decline and its impact on Russia as evidence for maintaining a firm position in future peace negotiations.

A source summarized the approach as “explanation without pushing Trump into a corner.”