Europe, Zelensky frustrated as U.S. excludes them from Russia-Ukraine peace talks
By isabelle // 2025-02-18
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  • The U.S. excluded European allies and Ukraine from high-stakes Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia, sparking criticism and concerns over transatlantic cooperation.
  • European leaders, led by France, held an emergency summit to strategize their role and push for inclusion in the peace process.
  • Ukrainian President Zelensky defiantly opposed any peace deal negotiated without Ukraine, emphasizing sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  • The U.S. reassured allies their interests would be considered but faced criticism for sidelining Europe and Ukraine from initial talks.
  • The Saudi Arabia meeting is a preliminary step toward a potential Trump-Putin-Zelensky summit to end the conflict, with high stakes for all parties.
The United States has sidelined European allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from high-stakes peace talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, and the decision, announced by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, has left European leaders scrambling to assert their relevance in the negotiations. Although the U.S. insists that European interests will still be considered, the exclusion has raised concerns about the future of transatlantic cooperation and the potential for a lasting peace agreement. The U.S. and Russia are set to meet in Saudi Arabia this week to discuss a potential resolution to the nearly three-year conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. However, neither European leaders nor Zelensky have been invited to the initial talks, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from both Kyiv and Brussels.

Europe’s push for inclusion

European leaders, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, convened an emergency summit in Paris on Monday to discuss their role in the peace process. Macron invited representatives from Britain, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Denmark, as well as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, to strategize on how Europe can provide security guarantees for Ukraine and the broader region. “There’s no way in which we can have discussions or negotiations about Ukraine, Ukraine’s future, or European security structure without Europeans,” Finnish President Alexander Stubb told reporters at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend. However, it appears he's seeing this for the wakeup call it is, as Stubb emphasized that Europe must “talk less and do more” to secure its place at the negotiating table. Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, was even more direct, stating, “If somebody agrees to something and everybody else says ‘okay fine!’ you have agreed, but we will not follow this!” She stressed that Europe’s involvement is crucial for any peace deal to succeed.

Zelensky’s defiant stance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who confirmed he was not invited to the Saudi Arabia talks, has been vocal in his opposition to any negotiations that exclude Kyiv. “I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine. Never,” Zelensky declared in an interview with Meet the Press. He emphasized that no leader can make a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin without Ukraine’s involvement. Zelensky’s frustration reflects the broader sentiment in Ukraine, where many fear that a peace deal brokered without their input could undermine the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ukrainian leader has called for continued support from the U.S. and Europe, urging allies to maintain their commitment to Ukraine’s defense.

U.S. reassures allies

Despite the exclusion of Europe and Ukraine from the initial talks, the U.S. has sought to reassure its allies that their interests will not be ignored. Kellogg, who described himself as a “realist,” acknowledged that Europe would not have a seat at the table but insisted that their concerns would be “considered, used, and developed” in the negotiations. The U.S. has also asked European allies to complete a questionnaire outlining their potential contributions to Ukraine’s security, including troop deployments and defense spending. This move, while seen by some as a way to involve Europe indirectly, has been criticized as insufficient by leaders who believe their exclusion undermines the credibility of the peace process.

Is the end finally in sight?

While the exclusion of Europe and Ukraine from the talks has caused friction, there is cautious optimism that progress can still be made. The U.S. has emphasized that the Saudi Arabia meeting is a preliminary step, with the ultimate goal of arranging a summit between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky to “finally bring peace and end this conflict.” For the U.S., the talks represent an opportunity to reduce its financial and military commitments to Ukraine, which have totaled billions of dollars since the war began. By shifting more responsibility to Europe, the U.S. hopes to focus on domestic priorities, including border security. As the negotiations unfold, the stakes remain high for all parties involved. Europe and Ukraine are determined to ensure their voices are heard, while the U.S. seeks to broker a deal that brings an end to the conflict. Whether this approach will lead to a lasting peace or further strain transatlantic relations remains to be seen. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com CNBC.com BBC.co.uk
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