European leaders are expected to gather in Paris next week for an urgent meeting on the war in Ukraine, amid growing concerns that the United States may leave the continent out of peace talks with Russia.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is expected to attend the Paris meeting, said, “This is a rare moment in the history of our security,” and emphasized that it is now clear that Europe must have a larger role in NATO, according to BBC.
A spokesperson for French President Emmanuel Macron said to AFP news agency that “discussions are underway for a possible informal meeting.”
This meeting is expected to take place after President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia stated that European leaders will be consulted but will not be part of the US-Russia talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Trump plans to send a team of senior US officials to Saudi Arabia to begin talks with Russia and Ukraine, US officials said to various media outlets on Saturday.
Senior White House officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff, will meet with Russian negotiators in the coming days in Saudi Arabia.
A Ukrainian official told Politico that this has surprised Kyiv, and there are currently no plans to send a delegation to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, at the Munich Security Conference, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Saturday that Europe must make “good proposals” for securing peace in Ukraine if it wants to be included in US-led negotiations.
Rutte said he would travel to Paris on Monday to attend the meeting of European leaders organized by French President Macron.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and EU leaders have expressed their opposition to talks being held without their involvement.
EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, urged against a “quick solution” and a “dirty deal” to end the conflict, insisting that no peace agreement can be implemented without the involvement of Europe and Ukraine.
Speaking at the Munich Conference, Zelensky urged European countries to establish a joint army in case the United States withdraws and in the face of ongoing threats from Russia.
“It’s time, the European Armed Forces must be created,” he said.
“If the Americans decide to leave, to limit their presence, it’s not a good thing, of course, it’s dangerous,” Zelensky said.
