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Zelenskiy's chief of staff hails 'concrete results' on second day of Paris talks

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on January 7, 2026

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· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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Zelenskiy's chief of staff hails 'concrete results' on second day of Paris talks
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KYIV, Jan 7 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's top adviser hailed "concrete results" on Wednesday as talks in Paris on peace and security guarantees for Ukraine entered their second day,

Zelenskiy's Adviser Reports Progress in Paris Peace Talks

KYIV, Jan 7 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's top adviser hailed "concrete results" on Wednesday as talks in Paris on peace and security guarantees for Ukraine entered their second day, vowing Kyiv's national interests would be protected.

Ukraine is seeking strong backing from allies in the event of a ceasefire with Russia while also pushing back on a Kremlin demand that it give up its eastern Donbas region in exchange for peace.

"Not all information can be public, but there are already concrete results, (and) our work continues," Kyrylo Budanov, who was appointed head of Zelenskiy's office last week, said on the Telegram app.

"Ukrainian national interests will be defended."

Budanov's statement follows comments by Zelenskiy late on Tuesday that U.S. and Ukrainian officials had discussed "some ideas" to address the issue of territory, which he said remains the biggest obstacle in the peace process.

Kyiv has refused to pull out of the industrialised Donbas and said the U.S. has offered the idea of a free economic zone in parts of the region from which it withdraws.

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff said separately on Tuesday that land options had been discussed during the Paris talks and would continue.

(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Hugh Lawson, William Maclean)

Key Takeaways

  • Ukraine seeks strong backing from allies in Paris talks.
  • Kyiv aims to protect national interests in negotiations.
  • Discussions include potential free economic zone in Donbas.
  • US and Ukraine explore territorial solutions for peace.
  • Concrete results achieved, with ongoing negotiations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are peace guarantees?
Peace guarantees are commitments made by countries or organizations to ensure the safety and stability of a region, often following a conflict.
What is a free economic zone?
A free economic zone is a designated area where businesses can operate with fewer regulations and lower taxes to encourage economic activity.
What is foreign currency?
Foreign currency refers to the money used in other countries, which can be exchanged for the local currency in international transactions.

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