Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to Paris and Rome on Thursday for talks with key European leaders .
Zelensky's visit in Paris came after a stopover in London. TV images showed Zelensky being received by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Zelensky wrote on the platform X after meeting Macron that part of the conversation was the presentation of his so-called "victory plan."
He indicated they also discussed the situation at the front and preparations for the predictably difficult winter.
In a press appearance with Macron, Zelensky decisively rejected media reports claiming Ukraine might agree to a ceasefire along the current front line.
It was Zelensky's fifth visit to France since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of his country in February 2022.
Zelensky arrived later in the Italian capital Rome for talks on the latest leg of his tour of European capitals.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed Zelensky on Thursday evening at the Villa Doria Pamphili for a meeting, TV images showed.
As was the case in London and Paris, part of the discussions with Meloni will reportedly include the presentation of his "victory plan."
Zelensky is also expected to have a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday morning.
The relationship between the two is considered tense. The pontiff frequently mentions "martyred Ukraine" during public appearances, but in the past has also attracted attention with some controversial remarks about the Ukraine war.
Following his talks in London, Zelensky said his plan "aims to create the right conditions for a just end to the war," Britiain's Press Association (PA) reported.
Zelensky has been pushing for permission to use Western-supplied weapons to hit military targets deep inside Russian territory.
A planned meeting with US President Joe Biden at Ramstein US military base in Germany was postponed after Biden decided to stay in the US to deal with the effects of Hurricane Milton.
Zelensky had wanted to present his strategy for ending the war to a larger group of allies in Ramstein at the weekend.
Zelensky is still expected to visit Berlin on Friday, but discussions will be limited to bilateral meetings with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier regarding further support for Ukraine.
On Thursday, Scholz spoke with Biden by phone. Biden outlined the hurricaine situation to the German leader, which has led the US president to cancel a planned visit to Germany this week. Scholz expressed his "full understanding."
Biden, in a statement, underscored the US-German relationship and intention to continue to work together on "geopolitical priorities, including supporting Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression."
Local News
Comments / 0