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France to host European Summit on Ukraine, security

France to host European Summit on Ukraine, security France's President Emmanuel Macron addresses the audience at the Elysee presidential Palace in Paris, on February 13, 2025. (AFP Photo)
By Newsroom
Feb 16, 2025 5:23 PM

France will host a European summit on Feb. 17, Monday, to discuss the war in Ukraine and broader European security concerns, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

The meeting comes as European leaders seek to formulate a concrete response amid concerns about U.S. President Donald Trump’s unilateral approach to the conflict.

Key European leaders to attend

French President Emmanuel Macron will convene the summit, bringing together key European nations to discuss security matters, Barrot told France Inter radio on Sunday. He described the gathering as a working session rather than a dramatic event.

Diplomats confirmed that invitations have been sent out for the summit, set to take place Monday afternoon. Six European diplomats said invited nations include Britain, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Denmark, the latter representing the Baltic and Scandinavian countries.

The European Union leadership and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte were also invited.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will attend, sources from their respective governments confirmed.

The summit aims to evaluate immediate support for Ukraine, Europe’s role in security guarantees for Kyiv, and ways to strengthen the continent’s collective security.

France to host European Summit on Ukraine, security
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 61st Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany on Feb. 15, 2025. (AFP Photo)

European exclusion from US-led Ukraine talks

The summit follows remarks from Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, who stated on Saturday that Europe would not be included in peace talks for Ukraine. Washington recently sent a questionnaire to European capitals asking what contributions they could make to security guarantees for Kyiv.

We are intensifying discussions with Ukrainian leaders on efforts to forge an enduring peace. I had productive discussions with Andriy Yermak in Munich today, including on objectives that advance and national  interests. I look forward to meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv soon

Special Presidential Envoy for Russia & Ukraine, Keith Kellogg

This exclusion has raised concerns among European leaders about their role in shaping Ukraine’s future security and their ability to coordinate a unified response to the ongoing conflict.

Three years into Russia’s invasion, European nations have struggled to present a cohesive strategy for Ukraine and relations with Moscow.

France to host European Summit on Ukraine, security
(This combination of pictures shows (from L) US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AFP Photo)

US and Russia to meet in Saudi Arabia for peace talks

As Europe faces exclusion from U.S.-led negotiations, U.S. and Russian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss a possible resolution to the Ukraine conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Saudi Arabia for the discussions, according to U.S. Representative Michael McCaul.

It remains unclear which Russian officials will attend.

On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, McCaul stated that the ultimate goal is to arrange a meeting between Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate an end to the war.

Zelenskyy, who met U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Germany on Friday, said Ukraine was not invited to the Saudi Arabia talks and would not engage with Russia before consulting with strategic partners.

The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on the discussions.

France to host European Summit on Ukraine, security
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (3L) and Vice President of the United States JD Vance (3R) talking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, southern Germany on Feb.14, 2025. (AFP Photo)

Economic, security negotiations over Ukraine’s resources

The United States and Ukraine are currently negotiating a deal that could open up Ukraine’s vast natural wealth to U.S. investment.

Three sources speaking to Reuters indicated that the U.S. has proposed acquiring 50% ownership of Ukraine’s critical minerals. However, Zelenskyy said on Saturday that the draft deal did not contain the security provisions Kyiv needed to protect itself from future aggression.

Moscow, which currently controls one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, has demanded that Kyiv cede territory and adopt permanent neutrality as part of any peace deal.

Ukraine, on the other hand, insists that Russia withdraw from captured land and has continued to seek NATO membership or equivalent security guarantees to ensure protection against future aggression.

Last Updated:  Feb 16, 2025 5:23 PM