Leaders from countries such as Germany, Poland, and Denmark have been invited to the meeting, which comes amid uncertainties about Europe’s role in peace negotiations and pressure from the United States

France announced on Sunday (16) that it will host an emergency European summit on Monday (17), bringing together leaders and diplomats from several countries across the continent to discuss the war in Ukraine and the future of European security. The meeting comes at a time of growing concern among European allies regarding the evolution of the conflict and the stance of the United States, which has recently indicated a unilateral approach to future peace negotiations.

The French government, which has been trying to position itself as an active mediator in international politics, aims to devise a plan to strengthen European security in light of the prolonged war and the possibility of decreased American support. The summit will focus on discussing concrete measures to ensure the continued military assistance to Ukraine and to assess the implications of recent statements from the U.S. government regarding Europe’s role in resolving the conflict.

The summit comes just days after an incident that caused discomfort among European countries. Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, stated that Europe would not have “a seat at the table” in peace negotiations, suggesting that the U.S. would conduct talks directly with Russia and Ukraine without active participation from European countries. Additionally, Washington sent questionnaires to several European capitals, asking what commitments each country would be willing to make to guarantee the security of Kiev. This move was interpreted as an attempt to pressure allies into shouldering a larger portion of the costs and responsibility for the conflict.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed the summit during an interview with France Inter radio, highlighting that President Emmanuel Macron would bring together “the main European countries to discuss the security of the continent.” Barrot stated that the meeting would be a working session focused on practical solutions, but minimized any exaggerated expectations regarding the outcomes. “We need a coordinated and pragmatic response, but without exaggerations. European security needs to be strengthened strategically and collectively,” said the minister.

The meeting occurs within a context where Macron is seeking to consolidate his role as a leader in formulating European security and defense policies. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the French president has advocated for greater strategic autonomy for Europe, reducing its military dependence on the United States and strengthening the continent’s defense capabilities. However, his efforts to unite allies around this vision face challenges, particularly due to differing priorities and interests among the involved countries.

Although the Élysée Palace has yet to make an official announcement about the event, diplomatic sources confirmed that invitations were sent to a select group of European countries. At least six diplomats reported that representatives from nations such as Germany, Poland, Italy, Denmark, and Great Britain, as well as key figures from the European Union and the NATO Secretary-General, were invited. Denmark, according to information, will represent the Baltic and Scandinavian countries at the meeting.

Key topics to be addressed include:

• Immediate support for Ukraine: Europe has faced difficulties in maintaining a steady supply of military equipment and financial aid to Kiev. The summit will discuss new ways to ensure that Ukraine receives the necessary resources to continue its defense against Russia.
• Security guarantees for Kiev: With the future of U.S. support uncertain, European countries will need to assess how far they are willing to commit to Ukraine’s security. Some options include sending troops for training, increasing the supply of advanced weaponry, and providing long-term financial support.
• Strengthening European security: The war in Ukraine has highlighted vulnerabilities in the continent’s defense. Leaders will discuss ways to increase military cooperation among European countries and NATO, enhancing protection against external threats.
• Political cohesion within the European Union: The bloc has faced difficulties in adopting a unified position on the war, with some nations hesitant to escalate their involvement in the conflict. The meeting will seek to align strategies and prevent internal divisions.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, European countries have struggled to define a cohesive and effective response. Disagreements over arms shipments, sanctions against Moscow, and the level of involvement in the war have prevented unanimous decisions and revealed weaknesses within the European Union.

Some nations, such as Poland and the Baltic states, advocate for a more aggressive approach, including supplying more sophisticated weapons and increasing military presence in the region. Other countries, such as Germany and France, adopt a more cautious stance, avoiding measures that could escalate the conflict into a direct confrontation with Russia.

Another concern is the economic impact of the war. The prolongation of the conflict has strained the budgets of European countries, which are already facing internal challenges related to inflation and energy costs. There is also growing skepticism among some populations regarding the continued unconditional support for Ukraine, which influences the political decisions of governments.

Behind the scenes, there is also concern about how the United States may redefine its role in the crisis. Under Joe Biden’s administration, Washington was one of the main providers of military and financial aid to Kiev, but Trump’s new administration could bring significant changes to this approach. The uncertainty surrounding the future of American commitment forces European leaders to plan alternatives to ensure the region’s stability.

Although Monday’s summit represents an attempt to strengthen European unity and define a more active role for the continent in the Ukraine war, there is skepticism about the leaders’ ability to reach concrete decisions. Previous similar meetings have already shown that, despite the willingness to debate solutions, Europe still struggles to translate rhetoric into coordinated action.

The expectation is that the meeting will serve as an opportunity for Macron and other leaders to emphasize the need for cooperation and increase pressure on countries that are still hesitant to intensify their support for Kiev. Furthermore, the meeting could be an indicator of how Europe intends to deal with the growing unpredictability of U.S. foreign policy and its potential partial withdrawal from the conflict.

However, experts warn that without concrete financial and military commitments, the summit risks becoming just another diplomatic event with little real impact on the course of the war. The challenge for European leaders will be to turn solidarity rhetoric into practical measures that ensure not only Ukraine’s defense but also the security of all of Europe in the face of the Russian threat.

Whether the meeting will indeed produce significant progress or will simply be another forum for discussions without concrete resolutions remains an open question.