MUNICH, Feb 16 – European leaders are racing to secure a place at the negotiating table for Ukraine peace talks, as the United States prepares to meet Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.
MUNICH, Feb 16 – European leaders are racing to secure a place at the negotiating table for Ukraine peace talks, as the United States prepares to meet Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.
US President Donald Trump shook allies this week by announcing he may soon meet Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war, raising fears that European interests could be sidelined.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Saudi Arabia for ceasefire discussions, though no date has been confirmed.
Rubio, currently in Israel on his first Middle East tour, also spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reaffirming Trump's commitment to ending the conflict, according to US officials.
Europe Seeks Influence in Talks
At the Munich Security Conference, NATO chief Mark Rutte urged Europe to offer strong proposals if it wanted a voice in US-led discussions. He will join an expected European leaders’ meeting in Paris, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for Europe to take a bigger role in NATO and work closely with the US to secure Ukraine’s future. Meanwhile, discussions have begun about deploying European peacekeepers, but focus remains on strengthening Ukraine’s forces.
Zelensky Calls for a European Army
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Europe to build its own military force, warning that reliance on the US was risky.
“We can’t rule out America saying no to Europe in a crisis. The time has come to create the Armed Forces of Europe,” Zelensky said.
He also stressed that Ukraine would not accept any deal made without its involvement, declaring:
“No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine. No decisions about Europe without Europe.”
However, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, suggested that while Europe would not be directly involved in talks, it would still have an "input."
US Sends Mixed Signals on Ukraine
US Vice President JD Vance reassured Zelensky that Washington seeks a "lasting peace", but Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cast doubt on Ukraine joining NATO or reclaiming all of its occupied land.
Trump has also sought access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in return for US military aid. Zelensky said he blocked a deal on Ukrainian natural resources, citing a lack of "security guarantees."
Meanwhile, Russia continues to gain ground in eastern Ukraine, despite heavy losses. Outside the Munich Security Conference, pro-Ukraine demonstrators voiced fears over the direction of the talks.
“It’s terrifying,” said Nataliya Galushka, a Ukrainian-born protester. “The fact that Trump is talking to Putin, a criminal... what kind of world is this?” — AFP
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