European leaders divided on Ukraine peacekeeping as U.S.-Russia talks loom

European nations push for defense spending but remain split on deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he arrives for a meeting with European leaders on Ukraine and European security at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on February 17, 2025. Photo by Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

By Clarisa Sendy and Adelina Indah

European leaders gathered in Paris on Monday for emergency talks, calling for increased defense spending to strengthen the continent’s military capabilities. However, they remained divided over whether to deploy peacekeeping forces to Ukraine as part of any future peace agreement.

The meeting, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, was called in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pursue direct peace talks with Russia, excluding European allies and Ukraine. Trump’s move has forced European leaders to rethink their approach to Ukraine’s security and their role in the ongoing conflict.

A European official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that European nations agreed that a ceasefire should not be reached without a formal peace agreement. Additionally, security guarantees for Ukraine would depend on the level of American support.

“We agree with President Trump on a ‘peace through strength’ approach,” the official added.

Macron leads European response as Trump advances direct peace talks

Macron spoke with Trump ahead of both the Paris meeting and the U.S.-Russia peace talks scheduled for Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. A White House official described the conversation as “friendly,” with discussions revolving around Europe’s stance on Ukraine and security concerns.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also had a lengthy discussion with Macron, emphasizing that security guarantees must be “robust and reliable.” He warned that any fragile ceasefire without guarantees would only serve as a deceptive move by Russia, potentially leading to another invasion.

Trump’s unexpected outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week stunned Ukraine and its European allies, who had long viewed Putin as isolated from Western diplomacy. Now, they are confronted with the reality that U.S. protection may no longer be as extensive as before, prompting discussions about increased European responsibility in securing Ukraine’s future.

Debate over European peacekeeping force exposes divisions

One of the most contentious issues at the Paris meeting was the possibility of deploying European peacekeepers to Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed willingness to send troops but insisted that any deployment must be backed by a U.S. security commitment. He also stated that it was too early to specify how many British soldiers could be involved.

A European-led peacekeeping force would not only risk direct confrontation with Russia but also strain already stretched military resources. European nations have depleted their arsenals by supplying Ukraine with weapons, and many face financial constraints limiting their ability to expand military commitments.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed the idea of deploying peacekeepers without a solid peace agreement, calling such discussions “highly inappropriate” at this stage. Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni questioned the effectiveness of the proposal, warning that it was the most complex and least viable option under consideration.

However, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed openness to discussing the deployment of troops, stating that Europe must take a stronger role in defending itself against Russian aggression.

“Russia is threatening all of Europe now, unfortunately,” Frederiksen told reporters.

Some leaders, including Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, advocated for easing European Union fiscal rules to allow increased defense spending without violating EU deficit limits.

U.S. and Russia set for high-stakes talks in Saudi Arabia

As Europe debates its role in Ukraine’s security, senior U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia for the highest-level direct discussions between the two nations in years.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff to Riyadh on Monday. The U.S. delegation is set to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.

Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson for Rubio, stated that the meeting would assess whether Russia is serious about engaging in peace talks. However, the Kremlin framed the discussions differently, emphasizing a broader agenda focused on restoring U.S.-Russia relations rather than making territorial concessions.

Upon arrival in Riyadh, Ushakov made it clear that the talks would be strictly bilateral, rejecting the possibility of trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine.

“We came to negotiate with our American colleagues,” Ushakov was quoted as saying by Russian state media. “There can be no trilateral talks in Riyadh.”

Economic cooperation also on the agenda

Beyond the political discussions, economic cooperation between the U.S. and Russia is expected to be a key topic in Riyadh. Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, is scheduled to meet with U.S. representatives to explore opportunities for strengthening economic ties.

According to CNN, Dmitriev has already engaged in discussions with members of Trump’s team in Riyadh. He described Trump and his advisers as “great problem-solvers,” expressing optimism about potential collaboration between the U.S. and Russia.

“I think the promise is: let’s have dialogue, let’s figure out the best solution for our countries, for other countries, for the global community,” Dmitriev said.

While some analysts see this as an attempt by Russia to ease Western sanctions, Dmitriev downplayed this notion. He instead emphasized the potential for mutually beneficial economic relations between Washington and Moscow.

“I think it’s very important to build bridges. U.S.-Russia relations are very important for the world,” he said.

What’s next for Ukraine and Europe?

As the U.S. and Russia engage in negotiations, European leaders must decide how to respond to an evolving security landscape. While there is consensus on boosting defense spending, divisions remain over the feasibility of deploying peacekeepers in Ukraine.

With Trump’s administration signaling a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy, European nations are facing increasing pressure to take greater responsibility for Ukraine’s security. The coming weeks will determine whether a coordinated European approach can emerge or whether divisions will persist, shaping the future of the conflict.