Europe is striving to secure its place in the rapidly progressing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. The urgency intensified over the weekend when the United States heightened concerns that Europe might be sidelined from high-level negotiations. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will participate in peace discussions with Russia. However, European Union leaders fear their absence might result in a less favorable outcome for Europe and Ukraine.
The U.S. has reached out to its European allies, requesting they complete a questionnaire outlining potential troop deployments and capabilities they could offer as security guarantees for Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cautioned that failing to attain a "just and lasting peace" could "weaken Europe but it would also weaken the United States."
Despite these efforts, Europe remains uncertain about its role at the negotiating table. U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, indicated that the EU and the UK are unlikely to have physical representation in the talks. Kellogg remarked, "What we don't want to do is get into a large group discussion," suggesting a more streamlined approach to negotiations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed confusion about the involvement of other countries in the talks, stating:
"I don't know what countries are supposed to do at talks on Ukraine."
In response to these developments, European leaders convened in Paris on Monday for an emergency summit organized by French President Emmanuel Macron. This gathering aimed to address Europe's concerns about being excluded from the peace talks. European leaders emphasized the necessity of having a say in the negotiations to ensure a fair and enduring peace for Ukraine.
Washington and Moscow are set to commence discussions this week in Saudi Arabia to conclude the nearly three-year war between Russia and Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump's chief diplomat, Marco Rubio, will meet with Russia's Sergei Lavrov in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step towards resolution.
The Munich Security Conference further compounded Europe's apprehensions about their exclusion from the peace talks. European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas underscored the importance of their involvement, stating:
"For anything to work it has to have Ukrainians and Europeans as a part of it, because Ukrainians and Europeans are the ones who need to also implement the deal here in Europe, so without us any deal wouldn't just work."