Ukraine war: Europe's response to America's solo effort

Handelsblatt Ukraine war: Europe's response to America's solo effort Waschinski, Gregor Hanke Vela, Jakob Volkery, Carsten • 1 day • 6 minutes reading time Leading European states have discussed the strategy for peace negotiations to end the Ukraine war in Paris. The deployment of soldiers was also discussed. Germany is skeptical. The shock of the Munich Security Conference is deep: The meeting finally confirmed the Europeans' fears that the USA would negotiate alone with Russia to end the Ukraine war. Leading European states and representatives of the EU and NATO discussed a response in Paris on Monday. "We must continue to support Ukraine," said Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) after the meeting. Talks about peace are to be welcomed in principle. "But it is clear to us: This does not mean that there can be a dictated peace and that Ukraine must accept what is presented to it." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "There must be US backing (for Ukraine's security). The US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from another attack on Ukraine." There were no resolutions or final declaration. In advance, sources close to host Emmanuel Macron had said that the meeting was not a summit but "informal talks." Scholz said the meeting was "not the format where we make decisions." But the task for the Europeans was clear: they need a plan on how they can counter Trump and how they will get involved in the Ukraine negotiations. This is linked to the strategic question of how Europe will guarantee its security in the future in view of the threat from Russia under Vladimir Putin. The invitation was issued by Macron, who has been calling for a "sovereign Europe" in security and defense for years. Before the meeting in the Élysée Palace, the French President spoke to Donald Trump on the phone. No details of the exchange have been released so far. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared after her arrival in Paris that Europe's security was "at a turning point". "Of course it's about Ukraine, but we are also affected," said von der Leyen. The common European defense urgently needs a boost. Macron wants to "bring together perspectives" In addition to Macron, von der Leyen and Scholz, the leaders of six other states took part: Starmer from Great Britain, Giorgia Meloni from Italy, Donald Tusk from Poland, Dirk Schoof from the Netherlands, Mette Frederiksen from Denmark and Pedro Sánchez from Spain. EU Council President António Costa and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte were also part of the group. According to people close to the French President, the meeting is a first step and the ideas will then be further developed "with our other partners". This refers to the EU states that are not present at the meeting on Monday and could feel left out. From Paris' point of view, however, it is important to first "bring together views" in a smaller group in order to simplify the subsequent discussions in Brussels. "As a consequence of this acceleration of the Ukraine dossier and the statements made by the American leadership, the Europeans must work together more, better and more unified for our collective security," said an influential adviser to Macron. The meeting is about "what the core European contribution can be to a way out of the war in Ukraine that respects the conditions we have set out, i.e. the sovereignty and security of Ukraine as well as that of Europe." Question of peacekeeping troops divides Europe Against this background, the question of security guarantees arises. In addition to further arms deliveries to Ukraine, the Élysée Palace believes that the possible deployment of European troops to Ukraine must also be discussed. It is precisely on this point that the Europeans are still far apart. Germany and Spain are very skeptical. Scholz said that the debate about the participation of Bundeswehr soldiers in a possible peacekeeping mission was premature. "It is very important that we make it clear that we are unfortunately still a long way from that point." Macron, on the other hand, has long been open to the deployment of European soldiers. Starmer also confirmed in advance his willingness for his country to participate with military forces in securing a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. Peacekeeping troops are also an option for the Baltic states, and Sweden did not rule this out on Monday either. Meeting of delegations from the USA and Russia in Saudi Arabia Since the telephone call between Trump and Putin last week, the USA has been acting alone in the Ukraine conflict.