Prime Minister Starmer, who is expected to attend the summit, described the situation as a “once-in-a-generation moment for our national security,” emphasizing the need for Europe to take a greater role in NATO
European leaders are set to convene next week for an emergency summit in Paris to discuss the war in Ukraine, amid concerns that the United States is moving ahead with Russia on peace talks without European involvement, according to a BBC report.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is expected to attend the summit, described the situation as a “once-in-a-generation moment for our national security,” emphasizing the need for Europe to take a greater role in NATO.
US-Russia peace talks sideline Europe
The urgency of the meeting follows remarks from Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, who stated that while European leaders would be consulted, they would not participate in direct negotiations between the US and Russia. According to the BBC, senior White House officials, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are also expected to meet with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Saudi Arabia in the coming days.
Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, defended the decision to limit participants in the peace talks, arguing that past negotiations failed due to the involvement of too many parties. “It may be like chalk on the blackboard, it may grate a little bit, but I am telling you something that is really quite honest,” he said on Saturday.
European fears and historical parallels
The exclusion of European nations from the talks has raised concerns, particularly given the failure of the 2015 Minsk agreements, a ceasefire deal brokered by France and Germany aimed at ending conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Starmer, who sees his role as unifying US and European efforts, is expected to discuss European leaders’ perspectives when he meets President Trump at the White House later this month. Another meeting, involving European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, is anticipated after Starmer returns from Washington.
“We will work to ensure we keep the US and Europe together,” Starmer said, stressing that any divisions in the alliance must not distract from the “external enemies” they face. “It’s clear Europe must take on a greater role in NATO as we work with the United States to secure Ukraine’s future and face down the threat we face from Russia.”
Macron calls for emergency summit
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski confirmed that French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the emergency summit, although the French leader has yet to formally announce it.
Sikorski warned of the strategic uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration’s approach, saying, “President Trump has a method of operating, which the Russians call reconnaissance through battle. You push and you see what happens, and then you change your position. We need to respond.”
Zelensky Urges European Defense Strengthening
Amid concerns that the US may shift its strategic focus away from Europe, Zelensky has called for the creation of an “army of Europe.” Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he noted that a recent speech by US Vice-President JD Vance signaled that the traditional transatlantic relationship was changing. “The old relationship between Europe and America is ending, and the continent needs to adjust to that,” he said.
Zelensky also made it clear that Ukraine “will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement” in response to reports of US-Russia negotiations.
Trump-Putin Dialogue Rekindles Old Concerns
Earlier this week, Trump announced that he had a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that peace talks would begin “immediately.” Trump then informed Zelensky of his plan.
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