“This is a diplomatic success for France because for the first time, Americans, Ukrainians, and Europeans sat down at one table,” Barrot told LCI.
A United Front for Peace
The meetings, hosted at the Élysée Palace on April 17, saw:
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President Emmanuel Macron receive the U.S. delegation led by Special Representative Keith Kellogg.
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Andriy Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov meet with counterparts from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
By convening these diverse partners, France underscored its role as a bridge between transatlantic and European efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Barrot emphasized that all sides shared a single objective:
“It is about moving towards our common goal: peace. And for this to happen, we must continue the dialogue.”
U.S. Commitment to Ceasefire
Barrot noted that U.S. representatives “want to end this war” and are actively listening to allied proposals for a ceasefire and security guarantees. The productive nature of the talks was echoed by Keith Kellogg, who praised the “very productive” sessions and highlighted the photo-op with Yermak and Umerov as a symbol of unity.
As France celebrated this diplomatic milestone, stakeholders agreed to maintain momentum, scheduling follow-up discussions to translate shared commitments into concrete steps toward a lasting peace.
