Trump official says Europe won’t be involved with Russia-Ukraine peace talks

• The Trump administration announced that Europe will not be involved in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Instead, Europe will be consulted by the United States.
• European leaders, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb, have criticized the decision, emphasizing the need for Europe to be actively involved in discussions about Ukraine’s future.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the new U.S. administration would act differently and called for a European military, acknowledging potential changes in U.S. support for Europe.

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The Trump administration announced that Europe will not be involved in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Instead, Europe will be consulted by the United States.

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg made the announcement on Saturday, Feb. 15, while at the Munich Security Conference.

Kellogg said that he didn’t want a large group discussion when discussing an end to the war.

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How has Europe responded to the comments?

Leaders throughout Europe have reacted to the Trump administration’s recent comments on Ukraine. Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Europe needs to “get its act together.”

“There’s no way in which we can have discussions or negotiations about Ukraine, Ukraine’s future or European security structure, without Europeans,” Stubb said in Munich. “But this means that Europe needs to get its act together. Europe needs to talk less and do more.”

Has Zelenskyy responded?

Before Kellogg made his comments about the peace talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned those at the Munich Security Conference the Trump administration would act very differently than the Biden Administration.

“Yesterday here in Munich, the US vice president made it clear – decades of the old relationship between Europe and America are ending. From now on, things will be different, and Europe needs to adjust to that,” Zelenskyy said.

He also called for a European military, while acknowledging that the U.S. may not provide Europe with military support.

“We can’t rule out the possibility that America might say ‘No’ to Europe on issues that threaten it. Many leaders have talked about Europe that needs its own military – an Army of Europe,” he said.

What is Trump’s plan to end the war?

President Trump hasn’t given a firm answer on how he would end the war in Ukraine. In the past, he said he would continue to send aid if Ukraine gave the U.S. access to the country’s rare earth minerals.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent presented a similar agreement to Zelenskyy when Bessent visited Kyiv on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

Zelenskyy refused to sign the agreement, which could have U.S. troops in Ukraine after peace talks were completed between Ukraine and Russia.

Kellogg also didn’t provide detailed plans to end the war in Ukraine. When asked at the Munich Security Conference to provide plan details, he said he couldn’t at this time.

He also claimed that a peace agreement could include concessions from Russia but didn’t confirm Russia’s position on the proposal.

What happens next?

Shortly after Kellogg’s comments, French President Emmanuel Macron planned an emergency meeting with European leaders to discuss Trump’s attempts to seize control of the Ukraine peace process.

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Officials said that the meeting will likely be held on Monday, Feb. 17. They said, in addition to Kellogg’s comments, the group will also discuss Ukraine’s possible future NATO membership and security guarantees Europe can give to Ukraine.