European Leaders Want a Role in Ukraine Peace Talks: U.S. Saying No

European leaders convened an emergency summit in Paris to address their exclusion from imminent U.S.-Russia negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The meeting, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron, shows Europe’s determination to play an active role in shaping the future security landscape of the continent.

The urgency of the summit was amplified by recent developments at the Munich Security Conference, where U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivered remarks that left European officials stunned. Vance criticized European nations for what he described as a retreat from shared values, questioning the unity and shared agenda between the U.S. and Europe. He further suggested that Europe might be excluded from forthcoming negotiations concerning Ukraine’s future.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressing apprehension over potential agreements made without Kyiv’s involvement, firmly stated that Ukraine would not accept any deal brokered behind its back. He also dismissed a U.S. proposal granting access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, citing the offer’s lack of concrete security guarantees and its disproportionate focus on U.S. interests.

In response to these developments, European leaders are actively strategizing to ensure their participation in the peace process. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the necessity of U.S. support for any European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, stating that a U.S. security guarantee is essential to effectively deter further Russian aggression.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed the sentiment of European unity and self-reliance, highlighting the need for Europe to take its security into its own hands. He criticized external interference in European affairs and underscored the importance of a collective European response to the crisis.

Despite these assertions, the U.S. administration appears poised to proceed with direct negotiations with Russia, sidelining both European and Ukrainian participation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Saudi Arabia, marking the first high-level U.S.-Russia meeting since the conflict began nearly three years ago.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte lauded President Trump’s leadership in seeking an end to the war in Ukraine, urging European countries to take more concrete actions rather than merely voicing complaints. Rutte emphasized the significance of American leadership in the peace efforts and called on Europe to actively contribute to the resolution process.