The Trump administration’s sudden shift in policy has left European leaders scrambling to adapt, as the US and Russia prepare to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war in Ukraine without involving the continent’s leaders.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday, ahead of potential talks between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The discussions are expected to focus on finding a lasting peace agreement, but EU officials are being sidelined from the negotiations.
In an emergency meeting in Paris, European leaders discussed deploying troops to Ukraine and increasing defense spending, as they seek to maintain their influence in the region. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to consider committing British forces to support a peace process, while NATO Secretary Mark Rutte emphasized the need for “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the Trump administration’s initial approach and urged Washington to provide concrete security guarantees in exchange for access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. The Trump administration is instead focusing on diplomacy in the Middle East, where Rubio will meet with Lavrov.
Experts warn that Europe may have limited influence over the negotiations, but Rutte believes the US intends to ensure Ukraine’s involvement in future talks. As tensions rise, EU officials are scrambling to adapt to a new reality where they face challenges from within and outside their borders.
The situation has plunged Europe into “uncharted territory,” according to Nigel Gould-Davies, senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. With the US-Russia talks set to take place in Saudi Arabia, European leaders are left to ponder the implications of a potential peace deal without their input.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Europe’s role in Ukraine has never been more uncertain.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/17/europe/europe-ukraine-summit-paris-trump-intl-hnk/index.html