European leaders to hold emergency summit as US-Russia talks over Ukraine

New Delhi, Feb 16: European leaders are set to convene next week for an emergency summit in Paris amid growing concerns that the United States is moving ahead with Russia on peace talks over Ukraine, potentially sidelining European interests.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, expected to attend the summit, described the situation as a “once-in-a-generation moment for our national security,” stressing that Europe must take a more prominent role in NATO. His remarks come after Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine stated that while European leaders would be consulted, they would not directly participate in negotiations between the US and Russia on ending the war, BBC reported.

Tensions escalated following revelations that senior White House officials plan to meet Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Saudi Arabia in the coming days. Special envoy Keith Kellogg defended the exclusion of European leaders, arguing that previous negotiation efforts failed due to an excess of participants. “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,” he remarked, in a statement as reported by BBC,

Sir Keir sees his role as a bridge between Europe and the US, aiming to ensure a unified Western response to the war. His upcoming visit to the White House later this month will provide an opportunity to present the perspectives of European leaders to President Trump. Following that meeting, European leaders are expected to gather once more, this time with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to formulate a coordinated approach.

Zelensky, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, echoed the urgency of the situation, advocating for the creation of a European army amid concerns that the US may withdraw its support. He reacted strongly to reports of US-Russia negotiations, declaring, “Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement.”