Sat Feb 15 20:02:58 UTC 2025: ## US Excludes Europe from Ukraine Peace Talks, Sparking Outrage

**Munich, Germany** – The United States has confirmed it will exclude European nations from direct peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, a move that has sparked immediate outrage and calls for greater European unity. This announcement was made by U.S. envoy General Keith Kellogg at a Munich security conference, following a controversial questionnaire sent to European capitals inquiring about their military contributions to a post-conflict Ukraine.

Kellogg’s statement directly contradicts recent calls by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders for inclusive negotiations. Zelenskyy, speaking at the same conference, urged the creation of a European army, citing waning confidence in continued US support for European security. He argued that Europe needs a stronger military to command respect from Washington.

The US decision comes after President Trump’s surprise call to Vladimir Putin earlier this week, where he advocated for immediate peace talks without consulting either Kyiv or its European allies. The Trump administration has signaled that the US intends to prioritize domestic issues like border security and countering China, leaving Europe to take primary responsibility for regional security.

The exclusion of Europe from direct negotiations has been met with sharp criticism. Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated unequivocally that “there’s no way” to discuss Ukraine’s future without European involvement. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed this sentiment, urging European nations to move beyond complaints and offer concrete proposals and increased defense spending.

France is now exploring the possibility of an informal meeting among European leaders to coordinate a response. Meanwhile, a European diplomat revealed that the US questionnaire included questions about the number of troops European Union member states are willing to deploy.

Kellogg outlined potential negotiation topics, including territorial concessions from Russia and targeting Putin’s oil revenues through stronger sanctions enforcement. Despite this, the decision to exclude Europe from the talks table has left the continent scrambling to define its role in resolving the conflict and bolstering its own security.

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