European Leaders Promise to Provide Ukraine With Security Guarantees Amid US-Russia Talks
In a meeting convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, European leaders have expressed their readiness to provide Ukraine with security guarantees and cautioned against a ceasefire with Russia without a comprehensive peace agreement, Al Jazeera reports.
The discussions in Paris followed concerns over United States engagement with Russia on the Ukraine conflict.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte conveyed the sentiment of the meeting in a social media post.
“Europe is ready and willing to step up. To lead in providing security guarantees for Ukraine.”
An unnamed European Union official stated that leaders were “ready to provide security guarantees, with modalities to be examined with each party, depending on the level of American support.” The official also highlighted alignment with what was described as President Trump’s “peace through strength” approach.
The EU official warned that “it is dangerous to conclude a ceasefire without a peace agreement at the same time,” a position seemingly differing from the Trump administration, which is reportedly seeking a swift resolution to the conflict.
The meeting occurred amidst reports of a call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and as US officials engage in talks with Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia.
Reports indicate that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US National Security adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov in Riyadh. Ushakov confirmed that the discussions would be strictly bilateral.
“We came to negotiate with American colleagues. These are bilateral talks, purely bilateral. There can be no trilateral talks in Riyadh.”
Following the Paris meeting, Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he had spoken with Macron regarding security guarantees for Ukraine.
The meeting in Paris was attended by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Dutch Premier Dick Schoof, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, NATO’s Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa.
