NATO members have emphasized the need for Europe and Ukraine to be part of future peace talks, following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would start immediate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine. The meeting highlighted concerns among European allies about premature concessions to Moscow.
European defense ministers gathered at NATO headquarters in Brussels demanded a seat at the negotiating table, warning that any deal behind their backs would not work. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said it would have been better to discuss Ukraine’s possible NATO membership or territorial losses before agreeing to concessions with Russia.
EU foreign affairs and security chief Kaja Kallas criticized the US approach, saying “we’re giving [Russia] everything they want even before the negotiations have started.” She warned that this was appeasement, which has never worked. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected these concerns, but admitted that the US would not spell out concessions Russia might have to make.
The demand for Europe’s involvement in peace talks comes as European countries continue to ramp up military spending and send troops to Ukraine. However, many are still reliant on US military support, leaving them with little leverage to counter US policy decisions.
Baltic states, which fear the Kremlin could target their borders next if a favorable deal is reached for Russia, have expressed concerns about Western cohesion. Lithuania’s Defense Minister Dovilė Sakaliene warned that Europe faced two choices: falling under an illusion of a solution or embracing its own economic and military capacity.
Some experts believe that European states have a chance to wield influence moving forward. Camille Grand, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, pointed out that Europeans provide significant financial assistance to Ukraine and will likely fund reconstruction efforts.
The US has proposed that capable European troops should back any future security guarantees in Ukraine, but made it clear that these troops would not be considered part of a NATO mission. This creates an opportunity for Europe to play a key role in peacekeeping efforts, as long as they have a seat at the negotiating table and can shape a settlement acceptable to both Ukraine and European security interests.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/at-nato-meeting-europe-demands-part-in-ukraine-peace-talks/a-71594447