Paris to host meeting of key European countries to discuss security and Ukraine
Major European countries will meet on Monday to discuss European security and Ukraine, at a time when the US administration is attacking the European Union and intends to negotiate directly with Russia to end the war.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on Sunday on France Inter radio that French President Emmanuel Macron had called for a meeting on Monday of “major European countries” to discuss “European security”.
Later, the Elysee said, “the heads of government of Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, as well as the President of the European Council (Antonio Costa), the President of the European Commission (Ursula von der Leyen) and the Secretary General of NATO (Mark Rutte)” will participate in this “informal meeting” on Monday afternoon.
The French presidency added, “Their work may then continue in other forms with the aim of bringing together all partners interested in establishing peace and security in Europe”.
The meeting comes at a sensitive moment for transatlantic relations amid European concerns over overtures by US President Donald Trump who has resumed talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The US president announced this week that he will meet his Russian counterpart in Saudi Arabia to begin negotiations on Ukraine, where the war enters its fourth year on February 24.
The meeting of European countries on Monday comes a day after the conclusion of the Munich Security Conference in Germany, where US Vice President J. D. Vance delivered a sharp speech attacking the European Union, accusing it of imposing restrictions on freedom of expression, while stressing that the Americans are considering holding negotiations on Ukraine without the Europeans.
On the Ukrainian issue, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Sunday that only the Ukrainians have the right to decide to stop the fighting, and we will support them as long as they do not make this decision.
He added that the Ukrainians will never stop unless they are sure that the peace offered to them will be sustainable, with security guarantees.
