Ukraine’s president struck an optimistic tone about revisions to the Trump administration’s peace plan, saying it “looks better,” though negotiations are still ongoing to find a path toward ending Russia’s nearly four-year war. Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke after meeting France’s president on Monday, part of continuing diplomatic efforts to shape terms for a potential ceasefire in Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. At the same time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Vladimir Putin will meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday. Witkoff has faced scrutiny following reports that he coached Putin’s foreign policy adviser on how to present the peace plan to Trump.

Zelenskyy’s trip to Paris followed discussions between Ukrainian and US officials on Sunday, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as productive. Both sides have been working to revise the US-drafted plan created during earlier Washington-Moscow talks and criticized for favoring Russia’s position too heavily. Late Monday, the Kremlin claimed new battlefield gains, saying Russian forces had taken the strategic city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk. Peskov said Putin was informed of the supposed capture on Sunday. Zelenskyy countered that fighting in Pokrovsk was still underway.

Zelenskyy identified territorial control as the most challenging part of the peace discussions. French President Emmanuel Macron said talks are still in an early stage but described the surge in diplomacy as a potential turning point for Ukraine’s future and Europe’s security. After backlash from Ukraine and European allies, Trump has downplayed the original 28-point framework—which included limiting Ukraine’s military, blocking NATO membership, and ceding territory—calling it merely a “concept” still being refined. Macron praised US efforts but emphasized that any final plan must include European participation.

Macron urged Western partners last week to provide firm security guarantees for Ukraine if a ceasefire or deal emerges, backing the idea of a “reassurance force” across land, sea, and air. He said crucial talks between US and European partners will take place in the coming days to clarify American involvement in such guarantees. Macron’s office said he and Zelenskyy also held talks with leaders of the UK, Germany, Poland, Italy, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, as well as EU officials Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Both Macron and Zelenskyy also spoke with Witkoff by phone.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed concern on Monday that US-Russia talks could pressure Ukraine into making additional concessions, including giving up more territory. “I fear all the pressure will fall on the victim,” she said after an EU ministers’ meeting in Brussels. The Kremlin released footage of Putin in military uniform meeting top commanders at an undisclosed military site. Russia’s General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov reported that Russian forces had taken Pokrovsk—using its Soviet-era name, Krasnoarmeysk—as well as Vovchansk in Kharkiv. Col. Gen. Valery Solodchuk added that Russian troops were still fighting small remaining Ukrainian groups in Pokrovsk. Ukraine has not commented, and the claims could not be independently verified.

Pokrovsk lies along the fortified eastern defensive line known as the “fortress belt,” vital to Ukraine’s defense of Donetsk towns such as Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, and Druzhkivka. Zelenskyy also rejected Russia’s earlier claim of capturing Kupiansk, saying Ukrainian forces had almost completely cleared the city of Russian troops. Putin said Russian forces are increasing pressure “along the entire front line” and maintaining full operational initiative. Meanwhile, the Kremlin condemned recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, including a strike on a Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal near Novorossiysk and drone attacks on two tankers in Turkish waters. CPC said one of three mooring points was damaged, halting terminal operations. Ukraine confirmed it carried out the attacks.

Peskov called the strikes “outrageous,” noting the CPC terminal is an international facility. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported destroying 32 Ukrainian drones overnight across 11 regions and over the Sea of Azov. In Dagestan’s Kaspiysk, a residential building was damaged in a Ukrainian drone strike, according to regional governor Sergei Melikov. The city is more than 1,000 kilometers from the front line. A Russian missile strike Monday midday killed four people and injured 40 more—11 critically—in central Dnipro, regional head Vladyslav Haivanenko said. The attack damaged several apartment buildings, an educational center, and a humanitarian storage facility. Search operations continued into the evening. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 89 drones overnight before the Dnipro attack, with 63 intercepted or jammed. According to its monthly report, Russia fired 100 missiles and nearly 9,600 reconnaissance and strike drones into Ukraine in November alone.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.