US Envoy States Europe Will Be Absent From Ukraine Peace Talks

President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy announced on Feb. 15 that Europe would not be part of the peace talks for Ukraine. This decision came after sending out a questionnaire to European capitals seeking information on the security guarantees they could provide to Kyiv.

France declared that it will host a summit for European leaders on Monday to address the Russia–Ukraine conflict and European security. This move followed the exclusion of Europe from negotiations about Ukraine’s future by Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, after years of conflict with Russia.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that France President Emmanuel Macron will call together key European countries to discuss European security. It is described as a working session that should not be blown out of proportion.

The specific details of the meeting have not been announced by the French presidency yet.

Macron has extended invitations to countries like Britain, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Denmark, which represent the Baltic and Scandinavian regions, along with the European Union leadership and the NATO secretary general. The purpose of the meeting is to explore immediate assistance for Ukraine and the role Europe can play in offering security guarantees to Kyiv and Europe as a whole.

Trump initiated peace talks by contacting Russian President Vladimir Putin before consulting with European or Ukrainian leaders.

The Trump administration is urging European allies in NATO to play a leading role in providing security guarantees for the region while the United States focuses on border security and countering Chinese influence.

During a global security conference in Munich, Kellogg mentioned that the United States would mediate talks between Ukraine and Russia.

When discussing Europe’s exclusion from negotiations, Kellogg stated, “I’m [from] a school of realism. I think that’s not going to happen.” He clarified that this decision doesn’t mean that European interests won’t be considered.

Some European leaders objected to being sidelined in the talks.

“There’s no way discussions about Ukraine’s future or European security can happen without European involvement,” Finland’s President Alexander Stubb emphasized in Munich, adding that Europe needs to take more concrete actions.

Stubb mentioned that the questionnaire sent by Kellogg to Europeans would prompt them to think about the situation.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged Europeans to actively participate in the discussions by presenting proposals and ideas and increasing defense spending.

Kellogg proposed including territorial concessions from Russia and targeting its oil revenues in the talks to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He highlighted the importance of enforcing sanctions against Russia effectively.

According to Rep. Michael McCaul, U.S. and Russian officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia to continue peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his nation was not invited to the talks in Saudi Arabia and would consult with strategic partners before engaging with Russia after meeting with Vice President JD Vance in Germany on Feb. 14.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff will be part of the delegation traveling to Saudi Arabia, as per McCaul.

The goal of the talks is to arrange a meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy to bring about peace and resolve the conflict, McCaul explained.

Reuters contributed to this report.