Volodymyr Zelensky is at the Elysee Palace to meet with Emmanuel Macron and secure European support for Kyiv at a time when he finds himself in a difficult political position while the United States leads intensive diplomatic negotiations to end the war. The French president welcomed President Zelensky on the steps of the presidential palace, who embodies four years of Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion and is under increasing pressure. Russian forces continue their slow advance in eastern Ukraine, while the Ukrainian government faces a significant corruption scandal that forced Volodymyr Zelensky to remove his chief of staff and right-hand man, Andriy Yermak.
The week that begins is expected to be of critical importance for Ukraine, stated today the head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas before the meeting of European Union Defense Ministers in Brussels, while Europeans hope that the Trump administration, which is suspected of being accommodating toward Putin, will not sacrifice Ukraine as a bulwark against Russian ambitions.
Zelensky’s continuous contacts
Since yesterday (30/11), the Ukrainian president has spoken with many European leaders regarding these negotiations, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who maintains good relations with Donald Trump.
American envoy Steve Witkoff, who is accused of close business and economic ties with Russia, will visit Moscow where he will meet with Vladimir Putin tomorrow afternoon.
After his meeting with Emmanuel Macron, the Ukrainian president is expected in Ireland this evening for his first official trip to the country that is a member of the European Union and militarily neutral.
The meetings are taking place while intensive negotiations on a plan to end the war are being conducted between the US and, on one side, Ukraine and, on the other side, Russia, so far without direct European participation.
What the Irish prime minister said
According to Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Volodymyr Zelensky will have talks tomorrow with him and Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris and will also visit the new Irish President Catherine Connolly.
“I have met repeatedly with President Zelensky, mainly in Kyiv, but I look forward to welcoming him for the first official visit of a Ukrainian president to Ireland,” the Irish prime minister states in his announcement.
Ireland is not a NATO member but maintains a partnership with the Atlantic Alliance. It maintains a small defense force of 8,500 members that regularly participates in peacekeeping operations.
Ireland supports Kyiv
Ireland offers strong political support to Kyiv following the Russian invasion, which has revived discussion about its neutrality and defense policy.
Ireland, which will assume the presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2026, also supports Ukraine’s integration into the European Union.
During his stay in Ireland, President Zelensky will also inaugurate an Ireland-Ukraine economic forum to develop bilateral trade relations, announced the Irish prime minister.
