European Leaders Urgently Address Security Amid U.S. Policy Shift on Ukraine

- European leaders meet in Paris to respond to President Trump's negotiations with Russia regarding Ukraine.

- UK and Sweden indicate readiness to send troops to Ukraine as part of peacekeeping efforts.

- Concerns arise over the exclusion of Ukraine from U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia and its implications for European security.

In a significant diplomatic gathering, European leaders convened in Paris on February 17, 2025, to strategize in response to the recent shocking policy shift by the Trump administration, which has sidelined Ukraine and its European allies in discussions aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. President Donald Trump expressed intentions to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin "very soon" and has initiated negotiations without the participation of European representatives or Ukrainian officials.

The summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, brought together heads of government from countries including the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain, as well as top leaders from the European Union and NATO. Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the UK stated that he is prepared to deploy troops to Ukraine if necessary, emphasizing the need for collective security and a united European front in the face of Russian aggression.

Starmer noted, “The end of this war, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again.” Meanwhile, Sweden's Foreign Minister hinted that country might also contribute troops to a potential peacekeeping force, contingent upon future peace negotiations that respect Ukraine's sovereignty and oppressive concerns about renewed Russian incursions.

However, Germany's leadership has urged caution, deeming discussions on troop deployments "premature." Deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann stated, “We have to wait and see whether and how peace will hopefully emerge for Ukraine.”

The urgency of the meeting arose amidst fears that Trump's unilateral approach to negotiating with Putin could jeopardize the existing security framework in Europe and undermine Ukraine's territorial integrity. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed that sentiment, declaring it a critical moment for European security and advocating for heightened defense spending across the continent.

As these discussions unfolded, Trump's envoy Keith Kellogg confirmed that European nations would not directly participate in the Saudi talks with the Kremlin, further raising alarms about potential agreements made at their expense. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly condemned any agreements formed without Ukrainian involvement, insisting that obligations towards Ukraine remain non-negotiable.

In light of these developments, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte affirmed a commitment from Europe to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, highlighting the necessity of structured peace negotiations to avert future conflicts.

The upcoming series of talks in Saudi Arabia between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will further shape this precarious situation, as both nations explore potential resolutions to the ongoing conflict while ignoring central stakeholders in the region.

For continuous updates and detailed coverage, visit Al Jazeera and BBC.