Zelenskyy Urges European Unity Amid Concerns of Exclusion from US-Russia Peace Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns over Ukraine's exclusion from ongoing US-Russia talks aimed at ending Moscow's aggression towards Ukraine. On February 15, during the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had not received any invitations to participate in negotiations taking place in Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that Ukraine would not engage with Russia without prior consultation with its European allies, which he described as crucial given the current geopolitical landscape.
Zelenskyy remarked, "We don't have any papers, any invitations, and it's something strange for me to speak in this case in this format if before we don't have any negotiations between us and our strategic partners. As I remember, Russia is not our strategic partner." His statements highlighted the skepticism surrounding the peace talks initiated by US President Donald Trump, who had sent a senior team, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to begin discussions in Saudi Arabia.
Mykhaylo Podolyak, a senior advisor to Zelenskyy, confirmed that Ukraine currently has no representatives in Saudi Arabia, adding that there was nothing substantive on the negotiating table. He emphasized that Russia was not prepared for negotiations. Amid escalating tensions and fears of being sidelined, European leaders are set to convene in Paris for an emergency summit to discuss the war and ensure that Europe remains involved in any peace negotiations.
The dynamics of the talks have raised alarms among European officials, especially following remarks from Keith Kellogg, Trump's envoy for Ukraine and Russia. He suggested that Europe may not be included in negotiations, arguing, "You’ve got to bring the allies with you… Of course they are going to play a part. You can’t do it at the exclusion of anyone." Yet, when pressed about the certainty that Ukrainians and Europeans would be at the negotiating table, Kellogg's response was less reassuring, indicating uncertainty about Europe's role in the process.
The US State Department revealed that Rubio had spoken with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier on the same day, which was a follow-up to Trump's earlier discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This sequence of events has led to growing apprehension among Zelenskyy and European leaders regarding Washington's approach to diplomacy, with fears that they might be left out of critical negotiations.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas firmly opposed any rush to agree on a deal that bypasses Ukraine, insisting that no peace agreement could be effective without the involvement of both Europe and Ukraine. Kallas stated that previous attempts at appeasement would ultimately fail, reinforcing that Ukraine would continue to resist and that Europe must continue to support Ukraine.
In light of potential US disengagement, Zelenskyy has called for the formation of a unified European army. He articulated the urgent need for strengthening European military capabilities should the US reduce its involvement in the region, identifying this as a key factor in addressing the growing threat from Russia. He stated in a compelling manner, "The time has come; the armed forces of Europe must be created. If the Americans decide to go that way, decreasing their presence, it's not good, of course, it's very dangerous."
As these developments unfold, the G7 industrialized nations reiterated their steadfast support for Ukraine, emphasizing the necessity of a collaborative approach that involves all stakeholders in achieving lasting peace in the region. The ongoing talks are a pivotal moment, not only for Ukrainian sovereignty but for the broader security architecture of Europe.
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