 "President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky (L) listening to the Vice President of the United States (not in picture) during their talks on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Image- AFP")
Europe will be consulted but ultimately left out of the upcoming peace talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine, Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine has confirmed as reported by the Guardian.
When asked whether European nations would participate, Keith Kellogg ruled out the possibility saying, “I’m from the school of realism, and that is not going to happen.”
Speaking on Saturday, Kellogg said that the decision might be unpopular. “It may be like chalk on the blackboard, it may grate a little bit, but I am telling you something that is really quite honest.”
Addressing European allies, he urged them to focus on contributing meaningfully rather than debating their exclusion. “To my European friends, I would say: get into the debate, not by complaining that you might, yes or no, be at the table, but by coming up with concrete proposals, ideas, ramp up [defence] spending.”
Ukraine President Zelenskyy called for the creation of a European army Saturday, as he insisted Kyiv and its backers on the continent must be listened to in peace talks with Russia.
Speaking at a gathering of top policymakers in Munich, the Ukrainian leader said that with the return of President Donald Trump to the White House Europe could no longer count on Washington to always have its back. Zelenskyy’s rallying cry came a day after he met US Vice President JD Vance as Kyiv scrambles to ensure it is not sidelined in Washington’s push to wrap up the three-year war.
“Let’s be honest –- now we can’t rule out the possibility that America might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it,” Zelensky said.
“I really believe that time has come. The Armed Forces of Europe must be created.”
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Writing on social media platform X on Saturday, Radoslaw Sikorski confirmed the attendance of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the summit and added that “we need to show our strength and unity”.
US faces credibility test in Ukraine war: Polish FM
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Saturday the United States’ “credibility” as an ally depended on the outcome of the Ukraine war, after President Donald Trump took up direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The credibility of the United States depends on how this war ends. Not just the Trump administration, the United States itself,” Sikorski said at the Munich Security Conference.
Europe unites behind Ukraine’s sovereignty
European leaders backed up Zelensky’s call to action and for their continent to play a key role.
“There will only be peace if Ukraine’s sovereignty is secured,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the Munich Security Conference.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk pressed Europe to establish its own stances on Ukraine and security as the United States sows doubts about its commitment to Europe.
“Europe urgently needs its own plan of action concerning Ukraine and our security, or else other global players will decide about our future,” Tusk said.
“This plan must be prepared now. There’s no time to lose.”
NATO boss Mark Rutte said that leaders in Europe were “now getting into the concrete planning phase” of possible security guarantees.
US officials have said that Ukraine will not be left in the cold after three years of battling Russia’s invasion.
Vance said after his sit-down with Zelensky that Washington was looking for a “durable, lasting peace” that would not lead to further bloodshed in coming years.
With inputs from agencies