Ukraine Proposes New Airspace Protection Format To US On Ongoing Peace Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that Kyiv has proposed a new format for protecting its airspace to the United States, signalling a potential step forward in securing the nation’s skies amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

In a post on X following a conversation with US President Donald Trump, Zelensky stated, “Ukraine has proposed a format for protecting our skies for the U.S. to consider.”

The leaders reportedly discussed avenues for progressing towards a lasting peace.

The conversation followed the Paris meeting of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and leaders from several European countries.

European Nations Pledge Troops as Zelensky Urges Direct Talks with Putin

Speaking alongside Zelensky at a subsequent press conference, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries, primarily European, have formally pledged to contribute troops as part of a prospective Russian-Ukrainian ceasefire.

However, the countries will not deploy these forces directly on the front line. Macron described the deployment as a ‘reassurance force’ capable of supporting Ukraine on land, at sea, or in the air.

Zelensky welcomed the announcement as a tangible step forward, while stressing that a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, either bilateral or trilateral, remains ‘necessary’ to advance peace efforts.

The US recently approved the sale of 3,350 air-launched Extended-Range Attack Munitions (ERAM) to Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticised the decision, claiming it undermines Washington’s stated commitment to resolving the conflict diplomatically. She reiterated Moscow’s stance that military assistance to Ukraine would prolong suffering and risk escalating the conflict.

Efforts to negotiate a comprehensive peace agreement have appeared stalled. Following meetings in Alaska and Washington between Trump, Putin, Zelensky, and European leaders, the US President has pushed for a potential bilateral or trilateral summit, though Putin has yet to commit.

During the Paris discussions, Zelensky highlighted that officials reviewed each country’s readiness to contribute to Ukraine’s security guarantees.

“Support for Ukraine must be increased and pressure on Russia must be intensified,” he said, noting preparations for the 19th EU sanctions package and Japan’s concurrent measures.