European leaders are preparing for an urgent summit on Ukraine on Monday as worries mount that the Trump administration’s efforts to cooperate with Russia in resolving the conflict have left them isolated. The region has been racing to react after US President Donald Trump announced negotiations to end the war would commence “immediately” following a discussion with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and Trump’s Russia-Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg indicated that Europe would not be involved. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to participate in the summit in Paris, describing it as a pivotal moment for national security. “The UK is committed to ensuring unity between the US and Europe,” Starmer stated in a release from Downing Street on Saturday. “We must not allow any divisions within the alliance to detract us from the external threats we are confronting.” Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski revealed at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday that French President Emmanuel Macron had proposed a summit of European leaders in Paris. However, the Elysee Palace in France has not yet confirmed this meeting, mentioning ongoing discussions between European leaders for a potential informal gathering. The UK’s affirmation of the emergency summit comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump and his top officials challenging what had been a mostly cohesive stance between Washington and its European NATO allies in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s incursion, which is nearing its third anniversary. Trump engaged in conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week, while his senior administration officials visited Europe and presented aspects of a plan for ending the conflict that seemed to allow significant concessions to Russia, sparking concerns that Ukraine could be sidelined and Europe excluded from peace negotiations. European diplomatic initiatives are unfolding after new US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth, speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, expressed doubts about Kyiv’s potential NATO accession and a return to its pre-2014 borders – a departure from Washington’s prior position that critics interpreted as conceding to Putin before talks even commenced. A day later, Hegseth backtracked on those statements, noting that “everything is under consideration” in discussions between the two nations. US Vice President JD Vance also cautioned on Thursday that economic and military measures would be used against Russia if it fails to negotiate a peace agreement in good faith. Kellogg mentioned in Munich that Ukraine would be represented in peace talks. However, while the positions of other European governments would be considered, Kellogg stated they would not be active participants. Trump has been a vocal critic of NATO, urging European allies to boost defense spending and criticizing the perceived imbalance in the transatlantic relationship with minimal advantages for the US. Vance heightened concerns about a widening divide between Europe and the US under Trump during his address in Munich on Friday. He admonished European leaders, claiming that the primary threat to their security stemmed from “within,” rather than external actors like China or Russia, and highlighting what he described as their suppression of free speech and reluctance
The United States viewed its support of Ukraine as essential in upholding a rules-based international order. The US and its European allies collaborated closely to aid Ukraine’s defense following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
In a post on X Sunday, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, announced that the bloc would soon introduce new initiatives to assist Ukraine and enhance European security.
Efforts for peace talks are underway, with the US now advancing its own peace process. Senior US officials are preparing to engage in discussions with high-ranking Russian counterparts to work towards ending the conflict.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are scheduled to convene in Saudi Arabia for the meeting. Although the exact Russian officials attending have not been disclosed, reports indicate that the Kremlin is assembling a top-level negotiating team for direct talks with the US.
The prospect of talks between President Trump and Putin has raised concerns among Ukrainians, fearing exclusion from discussions shaping the future of their nation. Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed disappointment that Trump’s initial call was with Putin and emphasized the importance of involving Europe in the peace process.
Despite Trump not committing to meeting Zelensky first, he acknowledged the urgency of discussing concrete plans to end the war. Zelensky met with Vance in Munich for what he described as a substantive meeting.
During a speech at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky asserted that Ukraine would not accept deals negotiated without their involvement and called for an inclusive approach in European affairs.
Zelensky also alluded to the risk of Europe being sidelined in the new peace efforts, highlighting the need for American recognition of Europe’s role in the negotiations.
This report has been updated with contributions from CNN’s Betsy Klein, Samantha Waldenberg, Jennifer Hansler, Mariya Knight, Caitlin Danaher, and Niamh Kennedy. To access more CNN news and newsletters, visit CNN.com and create an account.
