[Politics] Planned U.S.-Russia Talks Over Ukraine Throw Europe Into Crisis

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PARIS—Europe’s main military powers were scrambling to reclaim a seat at the negotiating table after the Trump administration sidelined them from talks with Russia over the future of Ukraine and the continent’s broader security.

French President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency meeting of European leaders inside the Élysée Palace on Monday, moments after he held a 20-minute call with President Trump. The flurry of diplomacy aimed to show that Europe still has a role to play in resolving the Ukraine war—even as senior U.S. officials traveled to Saudi Arabia this week for direct talks with Russia.

The idea that the fate of Europe might be decided without direct European participation has alarmed the continent’s capitals. European governments weaned their economies off Russian fuel exports and poured billions of military aid into Ukraine as part of a war effort they regard as crucial to the region’s security.

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Now the snub from Washington has also raised pressure on Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other leaders to define how they plan to contribute to any peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

In recent days, the Trump administration has asked European governments to fill out a questionnaire, clarifying whether they are willing to send troops in to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force and what other capabilities they can provide as part of a security guarantee for Ukraine. The leaders must also discuss how to increase European military spending and fund longer-term assistance for Kyiv.

 

 

Planned U.S.-Russia Talks Over Ukraine Throw Europe Into Crisis