Lagos, Feb. 11, 2025 (NAN) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday called for an emergency meeting of European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as concerns escalated over Donald Trump’s attempts to control the Ukraine peace process. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, expressed support for Macron’s move, highlighting the challenge posed by Trump’s methods.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Sikorski described Trump’s approach as “razvedka boyem” – a Russian term for “reconnaissance through battle”, where one pushes forward and adjusts based on the response, urging Europe to act decisively in response.
US Excluding Europe from Peace Talks
The emergency meeting, likely to take place on Monday, is expected to address growing concerns that the US is seeking to exclude European leaders from the ongoing Ukraine peace talks. A major point of discussion will be Ukraine’s potential NATO membership and how security guarantees could be structured, either through NATO or a European-led force.
Downing Street confirmed that Keir Starmer would attend and carry messages to Washington later this week when he meets President Trump. Sources suggest that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, along with leaders from Germany, Italy, the UK, and Poland, would attend the meeting.
Starmer Stresses Europe’s Role in NATO
Keir Starmer stressed that the UK must work to ensure that Europe and the US remain united, warning against any division within NATO. He emphasized that Europe must take a greater role within NATO to address the threat from Russia.
“This is a once-in-a-generation moment for our national security… Europe must take a greater role in NATO, and we cannot allow any divisions to distract from the enemies we face.”
Trump’s Special Envoy and European Response
At the Munich conference, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, dismissed European involvement in the peace process, stating it was not realistic for European leaders to have a seat at the table. He suggested that Europe should contribute by increasing defense spending instead of complaining about the negotiations.
Kellogg’s remarks raised further concerns that Europe could be sidelined in shaping Ukraine’s future. European diplomats have expressed fears that Trump may seek to make decisions on a ceasefire without involving Europe, thereby jeopardizing Ukraine’s future security and increasing Europe’s role as a peacekeeper in a deal it had no hand in negotiating.
Zelenskyy Calls for European Military Response
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also addressed the conference, warning that Europe could be excluded from the negotiations. He reiterated that Ukraine cannot accept decisions made without its involvement and urged Europe to form its own military force to ensure security. Zelenskyy criticized Trump’s failure to mention Europe in his talks with Vladimir Putin, stressing that “No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, and no decisions about Europe without Europe.”
Europe’s Growing Role in Security
Zelenskyy’s call for a European army and a military role in Ukraine resonates with concerns that Europe must bolster its defense capabilities, particularly to protect a potential ceasefire agreement. However, with growing Euroscepticism in many European nations, his proposal may face significant challenges, although it is expected to spark more discussions on Europe’s security role and the possibility of deploying troops to ensure peace.
Conclusion
The proposed meeting in Paris and the growing division between Europe and the US over Ukraine signals a critical moment in the ongoing peace talks. With Macron’s call for unity, European leaders are preparing to confront challenges both from Trump’s influence and the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine’s future. European leaders are pushing for a more active role in the peace process, seeking to secure Ukraine’s future security and European stability amidst rising external threats.
