As US, Russia Engage on Ukraine, European Leaders Seek to Take Part Despite Being Excluded From Talks

As the United States and Russia pursue dialogue regarding the situation in Ukraine, European leaders convened in Paris to discuss how best to contribute to a lasting and equitable peace, The Associated Press reports.

The meeting, held at the Elysee Palace, brought together representatives from key European nations, NATO, and the European Union.

While the US and Russia are currently engaged in initial discussions, European leaders emphasized their desire to collaborate actively in the peace process despite a clear message from both Washington and Moscow that Europe has no place in the initieative. A key topic of the European discussion was the potential role of European nations in future peacekeeping efforts.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom signaled a willingness to consider deploying British forces to Ukraine as part of a lasting peace agreement. However, the gathering highlighted diverse perspectives among European nations on the specific nature of their potential contributions.

The meeting followed recent engagement by the Trump administration with European allies, alongside initial communication with Russia. This diplomatic activity is viewed by some as an opportunity to explore new avenues for de-escalation and a resolution to the conflict.

European leaders reaffirmed the importance of a strong transatlantic bond and the need for continued collaboration with the United States. Discussions also acknowledged the ongoing efforts by European nations to strengthen their defense capabilities, with many countries progressing toward the goal of allocating 2% of their GDP to defense spending.

President Emmanuel Macron of France, who spoke with both President Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasized the importance of European contributions to regional security.

Looking ahead, Prime Minister Starmer plans to travel to Washington to discuss the key elements of a lasting peace with President Trump. This visit could facilitate further dialogue between Europe and the U.S. administration.

While acknowledging the importance of US engagement, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that any peace agreement must be mutually acceptable to Ukraine. Similarly, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stressed the need for active involvement from both the EU and Ukraine in the peace process to ensure a sustainable resolution.