European Leaders Call for Special Summit Amid U.S. Plans on Ukraine

In a significant move, high-ranking officials from the United States are set to meet with Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia next week to discuss potential avenues for ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The delegation includes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Trump associate Steve Witkoff, who has previously negotiated the release of a detained U.S. citizen in Moscow. This meeting marks the first official discussions between the U.S. and Russia since the latter's invasion of Ukraine.

Concerns have arisen regarding the absence of Ukrainian representatives at this meeting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted during the Munich Security Conference that his country must be included in any discussions concerning its future. European officials have echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that any dialogue regarding Europe should involve European stakeholders.

Keith Kellogg, the U.S. special envoy for Ukraine, stated that Europe would not have a role in the peace talks, a comment that sparked sharp criticism from European leaders. When pressed for clarification, Kellogg suggested that the definition of participation at the negotiating table could vary, asserting that the U.S. is committed to swiftly ending the war. He emphasized that America's approach is not about isolation but collaboration, indicating that any peace deal would need to be practical and fair.

The Kremlin views the recent phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as a turning point in their bilateral relations. Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that this signals a willingness to resolve issues through dialogue rather than conflict, although he noted that substantial preparation is still needed for a potential presidential meeting.

Furthermore, the United States has sent questionnaires to European capitals, seeking concrete commitments regarding their roles in ensuring a peace settlement in Ukraine. These questionnaires request details on military support, including what weaponry and troops European nations are prepared to offer post-agreement, as well as the security guarantees they can provide.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that European nations need to present proposals and ideas for the post-peace agreement landscape if they aim to play a role in negotiations involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine. He urged them to actively seek a place at the discussion table.

In light of these developments, EU member states are exploring ways to enhance their military capabilities. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently proposed that defense investments should not count against the EU's debt limits, a move intended to facilitate increased military spending without the constraints of existing financial regulations. This proposal was officially announced during the Munich Security Conference, where von der Leyen committed to a flexible approach by the Commission to encourage member states to bolster their defense budgets.