Tue Feb 18 06:41:50 UTC 2025: ## Europe Uneasy as Trump Pushes for US-Russia Ukraine Deal

**PARIS/RIYADH** – A hastily convened European summit in Paris ended Monday without concrete action, reflecting deep anxieties over US President Donald Trump’s pursuit of direct negotiations with Russia on Ukraine. European leaders reaffirmed their support for Kyiv but expressed concern over being sidelined in potential US-Russia peace talks, fearing a deal that could compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty and leave Europe vulnerable.

The summit, attended by representatives from key European nations and organizations including NATO and the EU, debated options including increased defense spending, providing security guarantees to Ukraine, and potentially deploying peacekeeping troops. However, divisions emerged, with Germany firmly opposing the deployment of troops while the UK indicated willingness to contribute if a lasting peace agreement is reached, contingent upon continued US involvement. France also stressed the need for strong security guarantees for Ukraine.

Adding to the unease, high-level US and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, a development that has heightened concerns in Kyiv and European capitals. The meeting, reportedly involving US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, precedes planned talks between Presidents Trump and Putin. Notably, Ukrainian officials have been excluded from the Saudi discussions, prompting President Zelenskyy to denounce any negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine’s participation.

President Trump’s envoy confirmed Europe will not have a direct seat at the negotiating table, instead sending a questionnaire seeking to assess European contributions to Ukraine’s security. This move underscores a growing rift between Europe and the US, leading to fears about shifting security architecture in Europe and the potential emboldening of Russian President Vladimir Putin. French newspaper Le Monde described the situation as a historic rupture, urging Europe to bolster its own defense capabilities.

While the urgency for a resolution is palpable, with Russia continuing its advance in Ukraine, the lack of a unified European response and the opaque nature of the US-Russia discussions leave the future of the conflict and Europe’s security landscape highly uncertain.

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