European leaders convened in Paris for urgent discussions and advocated increased defense spending to bolster the continent's capabilities. However, opinions diverged on the deployment of peacekeepers to support a potential peace agreement in Ukraine.
The officials also affirmed readiness to offer security assurances to Ukraine in alignment with the "peace through strength" strategy advocated by President Trump. The meeting, called by French President Macron, followed a separate negotiation in Saudi Arabia that excluded European allies and Ukraine from participation.
UK Prime Minister emphasized the need for U.S. security commitment before European countries would consider sending troops to Ukraine. Amid concerns of strained resources and the financial burden, discussions ensued regarding the feasibility and implications of deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine.
Various viewpoints emerged during the Paris talks, highlighting differing stances on peacekeeping initiatives. Participants, including German Chancellor Scholz, underscored the necessity of Ukraine's consent for any peace agreement, while deliberating on potential EU fiscal adjustments to accommodate increased defense spending.
As discussions on troop deployments and security guarantees continued, Danish Prime Minister stressed the escalating threat posed by Russia across Europe. Meanwhile, high-level U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to lay the groundwork for forthcoming discussions between their respective leaders.
The talks in Riyadh aimed to address the broader scope of Russian-American relations, with differing positions on territorial concessions and the negotiation format. While Russian officials emphasized bilateral negotiations, both sides acknowledged the importance of dialogue and cooperation for global stability and economic progress.