European Leaders Demand Ukraine's Role in Peace Talks Amid Trump-Putin Negotiations

As U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to broker a deal to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, European leaders are calling for assurances that Kyiv will be a key player in any negotiations with Russia. Trump’s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 12 has sparked mixed reactions, with some welcoming the prospect of peace talks and others cautioning against sidelining Ukraine in the process.

In a move aimed at swiftly ending the almost three-year-old conflict, Trump announced that he and Putin had agreed to work closely together on negotiations, with their respective teams set to begin discussions immediately. Trump emphasized his commitment to achieving peace, stating, "I think we’re on the way to getting peace." He also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following his call with Putin, although he refrained from clarifying whether Ukraine would be an equal partner in the talks.

European allies, including Germany, France, Poland, and the UK, have voiced strong concerns that Ukraine and Europe must be integral to any discussions. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz firmly stated that peace cannot be imposed on Ukraine, adding that no solution should exclude the U.S. or Ukraine from the process. U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in negotiations.

Trump’s push for negotiations has raised questions about the future of Ukraine’s NATO ambitions and territorial integrity. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suggested that it may be unrealistic for Ukraine to regain its 2014 borders, while Trump stated that NATO membership for Ukraine would not be “practical.” These comments have sparked concerns among some observers that Ukraine may be forced to make concessions that could undermine its long-term security and aspirations for NATO membership.

Despite these concerns, Zelenskyy has expressed his willingness to work with the U.S. toward achieving peace, emphasizing that Ukraine’s priority is stopping Russian aggression and securing a lasting peace. Ukrainian officials have also underscored the importance of Western security guarantees in any future peace agreement, particularly regarding Ukraine’s critical mineral resources, a key topic of discussion ahead of the Munich Security Conference.

The upcoming conference, set to take place from February 14 to 16, will serve as a crucial diplomatic platform for world leaders to address the conflict in Ukraine. As negotiations progress, the involvement of Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S. will remain central to the search for a comprehensive and lasting peace settlement.