US Ukraine envoy pulls no punches with Europe on Ukraine, Russia peace talks
President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, recently hinted that Europe may not have a place at the table during peace negotiations with Russia. During a security conference in Germany, Kellogg stated that he was “from the school of realism, and that is not going to happen,” in reference to European involvement in talks between Russia and Ukraine.
As President Trump moves forward with plans to negotiate peace between Ukraine and Russia, which includes upcoming meetings between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, Kellogg’s comments have raised concerns among European allies. He emphasized that too many voices could potentially derail negotiations for peace, leading to the exclusion of European nations from future talks.
Kellogg stressed that the Trump administration is working towards reaching a deal within a short timeframe, rather than on a longer timetable. He urged for breathing space and time for negotiations to take place, emphasizing that the process should not be drawn out over several months.
The remarks made by U.S. leaders at the conference have left European delegates in shock, with many worrying about the implications for continued U.S. military protection of the continent and the lack of European involvement in a potential deal brokered in Ukraine.
In response to the developments, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an emergency meeting in Paris with European leaders to discuss U.S. efforts to exclude European countries from peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. The meeting is expected to focus on the importance of European involvement in the negotiation process.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has urged European leaders to engage in the debate and come up with concrete proposals to ensure their participation in the peace process. He emphasized the need for European countries to ramp up defense spending and actively contribute to the discussions.
While Kellogg has indicated that European interests will still be considered during negotiations, the U.S. aims to serve as an intermediary in talks between Russia and Ukraine. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
Overall, the exclusion of Europe from peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia has sparked concerns among European leaders, highlighting the importance of maintaining a unified approach in addressing the conflict in the region.
