A mid growing concerns that former U.S. President Donald Trump is sidelining European leaders in negotiations over Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing to convene an emergency meeting in Paris. The high-stakes summit, expected to take place on Monday, will include UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and key European heads of state as they strategize on how to respond to Trump’s unilateral approach to the Ukraine peace process.
The urgency of the meeting was underscored by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski at the Munich Security Conference, where he warned that Trump’s approach mirrors a Russian military tactic known as "razvedka boyem"—probing through conflict to gauge reactions.
Europe’s Growing Anxiety Over Trump’s Moves
Tensions have escalated after Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, dismissed Europe’s role in the peace negotiations, suggesting that European nations should focus on “ramping up defense spending” instead of demanding a seat at the table. European diplomats, however, view Trump’s maneuvering as an attempt to impose a settlement favorable to the U.S. while expecting Europe to police it.
“This is a once-in-a-generation moment for our national security,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. “Europe must take a greater role in NATO, ensuring the U.S. and Europe remain united in securing Ukraine’s future and confronting Russia’s threats.”
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized that sustainable peace in Ukraine is impossible without European participation. “No long-term peace can be achieved if Europe is left out of the equation,” she stated.
Zelenskyy Pushes for a European Military Force
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also issued a stark warning at the Munich conference, cautioning that Europe risks being excluded from negotiations altogether. He urged European leaders to create a joint military force, declaring, “The time has come for an armed forces of Europe. Ukraine must play a central role in it.”
According to sources, Russia and U.S. officials are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia this week to draft a roadmap for the peace process—without any European representatives. The move has heightened fears that Trump’s strategy is to dictate terms that could weaken Ukraine’s security while securing American control over key Ukrainian resources, including rare minerals.
Europe’s Response: A Crossroads Moment
Amidst growing Euroskeptic sentiments within many EU nations, the push for greater European defense integration remains controversial. However, with fears mounting over Trump’s potential disengagement from Ukraine after brokering a ceasefire, European leaders are being forced into action.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned that any peace deal must include guarantees against future Russian violations. “We need an ironclad mechanism that will deter Moscow from breaking any agreement,” he stressed, adding that only a robust U.S.-European partnership will prevent Vladimir Putin from exploiting the situation.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also weighed in, urging Europe to act decisively. “Europe urgently needs its own plan of action on Ukraine and our security. If we don’t take charge of our future, others will decide it for us—without us.”
With the Paris summit fast approaching, the coming days could prove decisive for Europe’s role in shaping the future of Ukraine—and its own security.
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