Tue Feb 18 05:52:31 UTC 2025: **Europe Demands Inclusion in US-Russia Ukraine Talks**

RIYADH/PARIS — Tensions flared on Tuesday as European leaders reacted with alarm to U.S. President Donald Trump’s bilateral talks with Russia on the Ukraine conflict, excluding both European allies and Ukraine itself. The emergency meeting, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, saw a unified European front demanding inclusion in future negotiations and a significant increase in security guarantees for Ukraine.

NATO chief Mark Rutte announced Europe’s readiness to lead in providing security guarantees and to boost security investment substantially. However, European leaders stressed the critical importance of cooperation with Washington to secure any peace agreement. Concerns remain about how Europe will navigate future discussions after President Trump’s surprising call to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, bypassing established diplomatic channels.

While some European officials expressed agreement with Trump’s “peace through strength” approach, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the necessity of a U.S. security commitment before deploying European peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg, visiting Ukraine this week, avoided committing to a security guarantee, stating that “no options are off the table.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his country’s refusal to accept any agreements made without its direct involvement.

Meanwhile, high-level U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia for talks aimed at preceding a meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin. Although both sides expressed an interest in dialogue, significant differences emerged. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s spokesperson questioned Russia’s commitment to peace, while Russia insisted on bilateral talks, excluding Ukraine, and ruled out territorial concessions. Russia’s sovereign wealth fund chief, Kirill Dmitriev, also met with a U.S. delegation to discuss increased economic cooperation. The outcome of these talks remains uncertain, leaving the future of the Ukraine conflict hanging in the balance.

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