European diplomats have condemned what they saw as the sidelining of both Ukraine and its European allies following a surprise agreement between former US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin to launch “immediate” negotiations on Ukraine.
“We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelensky, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now,” Trump declared on his social media platform on February 12.
As a result, in a joint statement later on February 12 after a meeting in Paris, top diplomats from France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, the UK and Ukraine stressed that any peace deal must serve Kyiv’s interests.
“We want to discuss the way forward with our American allies,” the statement read.
“Our shared objective must be to put Ukraine in a position of strength. Ukraine and Europe must be part of the negotiation.”
Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity are unconditional.
Our priority must now be strengthening Ukraine and providing robust security guarantees.
In any negotiation, Europe must have a central role.
Our Weimar+ statement ↓ pic.twitter.com/PfdvQ4UND1
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 12, 2025
The prospect of Trump unilaterally cutting a deal with Putin has alarmed European Union leaders who expressed concern that Washington might pressure Kyiv into concessions.
“Abandoning Ukraine, forcing it to capitulate, would enshrine the law of the strongest and send an invitation to despots and tyrants everywhere to invade their neighbours with impunity,” warned French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
His Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares Bueno echoed those concerns and dismissed Trump’s approach. “The world is not a jungle,” he said. “We have a world order based on the UN Charter, which has worked since the end of the Second World War to the benefit of all.”
Trump’s Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had signalled a major shift in US policy, calling the idea of Ukraine returning to its pre-2014 borders “unrealistic”. He also downplayed the prospect of NATO membership for Kyiv, suggesting it was not part of a viable solution.
“We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine,” Hegseth said on February 12.
“But we must start by recognising that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective,” he added.
Trump announced that a meeting would be held in Munich on February 14 with US Vice-President JD Vance, US Secretary for State Marco Rubio and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I am hopeful that the results of that meeting will be positive. It is time to stop this ridiculous War, where there has been massive, and totally unnecessary, DEATH and DESTRUCTION,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
US President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans were underway for a possible peace meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, although no specific timeline was given. https://t.co/3kgnfYFOjn
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) January 10, 2025
