By Sarah Baafi
Amid rising concerns that the U.S. is proceeding with peace talks with Russia without European input, European leaders are scheduled to convene an emergency summit to discuss the war in Ukraine. The meeting is planned in response to anxieties that the U.S. is moving forward with Russia on peace talks, potentially excluding Europe.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to be among those attending the summit in Paris. Starmer emphasized the importance of the moment, calling it a “once-in-a-generation moment for our national security,” and stressed that Europe must assume a greater role in NATO.
The summit follows remarks from Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, indicating that while European leaders would be consulted, they would not participate in talks between the U.S. and Russia aimed at ending the war. U.S. officials have also indicated that senior White House representatives are expected to meet with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Saudi Arabia soon.
Kellogg stated that previous negotiations faltered due to the involvement of too many stakeholders. According to Kellogg, “It may be like chalk on the blackboard, it may grate a little bit, but I am telling you something that is really quite honest”.
Starmer views his role as fostering collaboration between the U.S. and Europe to ensure a united approach to peace in Ukraine. He plans to share the perspectives of European leaders during his upcoming visit to President Trump at the White House later this month. Following his return from Washington, another meeting involving European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, is anticipated.
Starmer affirmed that the UK would “work to ensure we keep the US and Europe together,” emphasizing the need to prevent divisions within the alliance from distracting from “external enemies”.
