European countries call for their involvement in Ukraine talks
3 Min Read
Several European countries convened in Paris to discuss peace talks in Ukraine following Trump's announcement that he spoke with Putin to initiate negotiations on Wednesday.
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European officials pose for a group photo during a meeting on European defense and Ukraine at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. (AP)
The EU must be part of any negotiations regarding the future of Ukraine, as only a fair deal with security guarantees would ensure lasting peace, a statement by EU foreign ministers read.
"Our shared objectives should be to put Ukraine in a position of strength. Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations," seven European countries and the European Commission said in a joint statement following a foreign ministers meeting in Paris on Wednesday.
The meeting included foreign ministers from France, Britain, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, and the European Commission.
"Ukraine should be provided with strong security guarantees. A just and lasting peace in Ukraine is a necessary condition for a strong transatlantic security," they said, adding that the European countries were looking forward to discussing the future with their American allies.
The foreign minister meeting came after US President Donald Trump said he held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, wherein they expressed their readiness to start negotiating the end of the war in Ukraine which has been ongoing for three years now.
The call between the Russian and US presidents made it appear as if the US and Russia were negotiating the future of Europe's safety while excluding Europe from the conversation. The foreign ministers insisted that Europe must be included for a proper peace in Ukraine, and by extension, the continent.
Trump increases efforts to stop Ukraine war, pressures Zelensky
US President Donald Trump said he spoke to Russian President Putin regarding a solution to the war in Ukraine, with Trump saying that his team had engaged in "some very good talks."
Trump unveiled on Wednesday that he had held a "lengthy and highly productive" phone call with his Russian counterpart, adding that Putin agreed to have the US and Russian teams start negotiations immediately.
Trump is pushing for a quick stop to the fighting in Ukraine, and Putin emphasized that the root cause of the conflict must be addressed in order to achieve peace.
On the other side, Trump is putting pressure on Zelensky, most recently by asking him for $500 billion worth of mineral wealth as compensation for all the support the US provided Kiev in the last 3 years, according to an interview with Fox News from last Monday. "Otherwise, we're stupid. I said to them we have to—' we have to get something. We can’t continue to pay this money," Trump added.
In the same interview, Trump hinted that Ukraine "may be Russian someday" while confirming that he will soon dispatch his special envoy Keith Kellog to Ukraine with the goal of discussing an end to the fighting in Ukraine.
Trump had made the Ukraine war a central part of his campaign, vowing to stop the war even before his inauguration on January 20th. "Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency… I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled," Trump said in one of his rallies.
