European powers, including the UK, France, and Germany, have emphasized that they must be involved in any future negotiations regarding Ukraine’s fate. They insist that only a fair agreement with strong security guarantees can ensure lasting peace.
Europe Demands a Seat at the Table
“Our shared objective must be to position Ukraine strongly. Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiation,” stated seven European nations and the European Commission in a joint declaration following a meeting of foreign ministers in Paris.
“Ukraine must be provided with strong security guarantees. A fair and lasting peace in Ukraine is essential for robust transatlantic security,” the statement continued, adding that European powers look forward to discussing the way forward with their American allies, as reported by The Guardian.
Concerns Over U.S.-Russia Talks
The meeting took place after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that both were ready to begin immediate negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
These rapid developments have raised concerns in Europe, as Putin and Trump appear to be negotiating the continent’s security future without direct European involvement.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is set to meet NATO ministers in Brussels on Thursday, following his discussions with Ukraine’s defense contact group on Wednesday.
European Ministers Push Back
“There will be no just and lasting peace in Ukraine without European participation,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot after a meeting that included officials from France, the UK, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, and the European Commission.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno stressed that no decision about Ukraine should be made “without Ukraine.” They also urged EU nations to demonstrate unity on this issue.
Albares Bueno added: “We want peace for Ukraine, but we want an unjust war to end with a just peace.”
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski highlighted the importance of continued collaboration with the U.S. “There is no better guarantee for our continent’s security than close transatlantic cooperation,” he said.
Strategizing for Ukraine’s Future
The Paris meeting, planned weeks in advance, aimed to outline the EU’s defense strategy, discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine, prepare for upcoming peace talks, and coordinate European engagement with the U.S. administration ahead of this weekend’s Munich Security Conference.
