Zelenskyy says territorial concessions remain Ukraine's biggest challenge'

"US special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, the Kremlin has confirmed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that protecting Ukraine's territorial integrity remains the biggest challenge in ongoing negotiations over a US plan to end the war, following discussions in Paris with European and US officials. Speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at a joint news conference on Monday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine's priorities include security guarantees, sovereignty and preventing concessions that would legitimise Moscow's occupation of Ukrainian land."

"Our biggest challenge is the territorial issue, he said, urging partners to avoid any outcome that rewards the war it [Russia] started. The comments came as officials from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom joined discussions in Paris, holding calls with US special envoy Steve Witkoff as part of an intensifying diplomatic push to end the war, which Russia launched with its full-scale invasion in February 2022."

"Macron reiterated that Ukraine must be the one to decide its own territorial boundaries, while signalling that further discussions are planned between Washington and European allies on potential security guarantees for Ukraine should a deal to end the war emerge. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also emphasised the need for unity between Europe and the US on a pathway towards peace. In a statement, she praised Zelenskyy's consistently constructive approach and said she hoped Russia would offer its own concrete contribution to future talks."

US special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Kremlin. Protecting Ukraine's territorial integrity remains the biggest challenge in negotiations over a US plan to end the war. Ukraine's priorities include security guarantees, sovereignty and preventing concessions that would legitimise Moscow's occupation of Ukrainian land. Officials from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK joined calls with Witkoff as part of a diplomatic push. Macron said Ukraine must decide its own territorial boundaries and indicated further talks on security guarantees with Washington and European allies.

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