After nearly four hours, the mini-summit on Ukraine called by French President Emmanuel Macron ended at the Elysee Palace. The purpose of the meeting was to prepare for the activism of US President Donald Trump, who has agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin to start negotiations from which, for now, not only the Europeans but also Ukraine seem to be excluded.
Among the issues under discussion was the possible deployment of European troops as a deterrent to Russian advances in Ukraine, writes A2. However, several countries are already against this decision. The first to react to this fact is German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: "I think it is completely premature to talk about this now. In fact, I am even a little irritated by this debate. I want to make it clear: here we are discussing the fate of the Ukrainians and peace negotiations that have not yet taken place, to which the Ukrainians have not said yes and have not even sat down at the table. It is completely unreasonable: it is the wrong debate at the wrong time about the wrong issues. We are not yet at peace, but in the middle of a war that Russia is still waging."
Since the end of World War II, Europe has been able to resist Russia by relying on its big brother, the United States. But now it faces a strongman in the White House, US President Donald Trump, as well as in the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin. Its capacity to withstand both will depend on money, determination and political unity.
"It is now very clear to us that we must continue to support Ukraine. And we must and can be counted on to do so. We welcome the fact that there are talks on the development of peace, but it must be and is clear to us - this does not mean that there can be a dictated peace and that Ukraine must accept what is presented to it. In this regard, we are working very closely with the Ukrainian President on these issues and Ukraine," Olaf Scholz declared.
For his part, British Prime Minister Kerry Starmer said that the fate of Ukraine "is not just a matter of the future" of Kiev, but is "an existential issue for Europe as a whole" as a continent.
Whether Europe can stand up to the US and Russia at the same time is the key question facing the select leaders that French President Emmanuel Macron has invited to a summit in Paris on Monday. It will not be easy. Europe is weak and divided. But countries in the European Union, as well as those outside the bloc, such as the United Kingdom, may still be able to hold their own if they work together resolutely. (A2 Televizion)
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