French President Emmanuel Macron is leading a summit in Paris. The goal is to make sure Europe has a strong voice in Ukraine’s future. European leaders worry that Russia and the US may negotiate without them. Talks between US and Russian officials are set to take place in Riyadh. Ukraine is not invited.
Many in Europe fear Russia wants to force Ukraine into neutrality. Ukraine and its allies believe Russian President Vladimir Putin will try to shape the postwar order. He may demand terms before agreeing to a ceasefire. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stressed that only Ukraine can decide when to stop fighting. He also said Europe must offer real security promises.
Key Leaders Join the Paris Summit
The Paris meeting will take place on Monday. Leaders from Germany, Poland, Italy, and Denmark will attend. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also join. Reports suggest that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will be there.
Talks will focus on defense. Some leaders support automatic NATO membership for Ukraine if Russia breaks a ceasefire. They believe this will stop future attacks.
US and Russia Hold Talks Without Ukraine
The US and Russia will meet in Riyadh soon. This has raised concerns in Europe. Ukraine has not been invited. The US says it will keep Ukraine informed. US envoy Keith Kellogg said Washington would not agree to a deal that harms Ukraine. He also said the US may impose stronger sanctions on Russia if Moscow refuses to agree to fair peace terms.
Top US officials will be at the meeting. These include Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation. Lavrov said Russia wants to rebuild respectful diplomacy. He also hopes to end some sanctions.
Macron noted that former President Donald Trump had moved quickly toward a ceasefire deal. But he warned that Russia might demand Ukraine reduce its military. Russia may even call for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to step down. European leaders fear this could divide the world into zones of influence. Some fear Western countries could be at risk from Russian threats.
Europe Divided Over US Strategy
European nations disagree on how to handle the US approach. Some leaders see Trump’s moves as a key moment in global politics. Others worry that meeting US demands could weaken Europe’s role.
The EU’s new foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, held informal talks with European ministers in Munich. She promised new actions soon. The EU is making it easier for countries to spend more on defense. Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that any European defense plan must include EU forces. These forces would work alongside national armies and NATO.
The US is also urging Ukraine to hold elections soon. Washington believes democratic nations should hold votes even during war. But Ukraine has rejected any deals made without its input. Zelenskyy said Ukraine will not accept decisions made behind closed doors. He insists that Ukraine and Europe must be part of any peace talks.
Europe’s Future Role in Ukraine’s Security
The Paris summit will set the stage for Europe’s next steps. Macron wants Europe to be seen as a key player. He also wants European nations to take more responsibility for Ukraine’s security. Some countries have already increased their military support. Others are waiting to see how the US and Russia handle talks.
European leaders agree that Russia should not decide Ukraine’s future. They believe Ukraine should join NATO in the future. But there are still debates about when and how this should happen.
Meanwhile, fighting in Ukraine continues. Russia has launched more attacks. Ukraine is still defending its land. The war is not over, and peace remains uncertain. But Europe is determined to have a voice in shaping the outcome.
For more updates, visit Euro News 24.