European leaders called a meeting in Paris after indications from Donald Trump that the US had already begun Russia-Ukraine peace talks with Vladimir Putin – seemingly without Ukraine in the mix
Donald Trump has praised the Vice President’s scathing attack on Western allies as his administration vows European leaders will not be part of Ukraine peace talks.
Leaders on the continent have called emergency talks in Paris over the Russia-Ukraine crisis as Trump’s envoy said peace talks had begun with Vladimir Putin – effectively locking Ukraine out of the conversation. It comes amidst second-in-charge JD Vance addressing Europe in the Munich Security Conference this week, chiding the UK over its immigration policies and accusing leaders of “curbing free speech”.
Trump meanwhile has praised Vance’s speech, while his administration has also downplayed Ukraine’s chances of becoming a NATO member state. Now a meeting is set to take place in Paris on Monday with representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain and, on behalf of the five Scandinavian nations, Denmark.
US Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, 80, encouraged Europe to join the conversation about the Russia-Ukraine war, however, he made it clear they would not have a final say in any resolution. Speaking to the Munich Security Conference, he said: “That is not going to happen. And to my European friends, I would say – get into the debate, not by complaining that you might, yes or no, be at the table, but by coming up with concrete proposals, ideas, ramp up [defence] spending.”
Retired general Mr Kellogg said negotiations would be between Russia and Ukraine, with Trump acting as mediator – but Europe would still be able to have an input. He told the conference: “To think that he’s going to do this alone is wrong, we never said that.”
At the same summit, Vice President JD Vance caused a stir with a blistering attack on European nations, including the UK. He hit out at European immigration policies and said free speech was being curbed, claiming European countries were facing a “crisis” and it was “one of our own making”. Vance said the greatest danger facing Europe was not from Russia, but rather “from within”, and the “retreat from fundamental values”.
Trump praised Vance’s speech as “brilliant”, responding to reports of angry backlash from European leaders by saying to reporters: “What did he say to ruffle them? I heard his speech and he talked about freedom of speech. And I think it’s true in Europe, it’s losing, they’re losing their wonderful right of freedom of speech. I see it – I mean, I thought he made a very good speech actually, a very brilliant speech. I thought this speech was very well received actually.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has criticised Trump and Vance’s brash moves, saying Ukraine’s future could not be decided behind closed doors. In a call on Saturday, the PM reassured Volodymyr Zelensky that “there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine”.
While Starmer also said Ukraine was on an “irreversible path to NATO membership”, US Defence Secretary however rebutted this, branding the move an “unrealistic outcome”. Mr Starmer is also set to visit the US following an “impromptu” call from Trump on Thursday evening. Trump told media at the White House on Friday, “we’re going to have a friendly meeting…he wants to come next week or the week after”.
It comes as UK Business Secretary slammed Vance’s criticisms about the UK, accusing him and Trump of not taking the threat from Russia seriously. Vance pointed to the conviction of ex-serviceman Adam Smith-Connor, 51, last year of breaching a public space protection order outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth back in November 2022.
His scathing criticism has prompted outrage from a number of European politicians, including prominent cabinet member and Christian Mr Reynolds. He told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “He also said we can disagree on some things and still be close allies. I would disagree on that. I think the threat from Russia is real.”