US President Donald Trump’s sudden move to discuss a peace plan with Vladimir Putin has left European leaders feeling caught off guard and worried about being excluded from negotiations over Ukraine.
European defence ministers meeting at Nato headquarters on Thursday emphasized the importance of Ukraine being part of any future agreement, stating that “there can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine”. The UK’s John Healey and Dutch Defence Secretary Ruben Brekelmans echoed this sentiment, warning that Europe should also be at the table to discuss the implications of any deal.
However, EU leaders are struggling to present a united vision due to their inability to speak with one voice. Ursula von der Leyen, the EU’s most recognizable figurehead, met US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth but has been largely absent from public view since.
Trump’s peace plan has raised concerns among European leaders that the US is not listening to them or reading their communiques. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain have already agreed that the security of the European continent is a shared responsibility, and that a just and lasting peace in Ukraine is necessary for transatlantic security.
European leaders are worried that Trump’s plan may already be moving towards meeting Russia’s war aims, which include a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. The US president has expressed support for Putin’s claims that Ukraine won’t join Nato and that fresh elections are needed in Ukraine.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that any agreement must be sustainable and not reward aggression. EU Commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper added that a bad deal will only lead to more war, emphasizing the need for a deal that is fair and just.
As Europe looks on, it’s clear that the US has already made significant concessions to Putin before negotiations have even begun. European leaders are now demanding that they be involved in the overall plan and that their interests be taken into account. With tensions rising, it remains to be seen whether Europe will be able to present a united front against Russia’s aggression.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg050kvm9vo