Europe will not have a seat at the table for upcoming Ukraine peace negotiations, Donald Trump’s lead envoy on Ukraine stated on Saturday.
This development follows Washington’s decision to distribute a questionnaire to European capitals, probing what security commitments they are willing to make for Kyiv.
Trump unsettled European allies earlier this week by directly calling Russian President Vladimir Putin without prior consultation with them or Kyiv.
He subsequently announced the immediate commencement of peace talks. His administration has since reinforced that NATO’s European members must assume primary responsibility for regional security, as the U.S. shifts its focus toward other priorities, including border security and countering China.
Addressing a global security gathering in Munich, General Keith Kellogg was asked whether Europeans and Ukrainians would be included in the talks.
His response was unequivocal, “The answer to that last question (regarding Europeans), just as you framed it, the answer is no.” However, he confirmed Ukraine’s participation, stating that excluding them “would be foolish.”
European Leaders Push Back
Kellogg’s remarks drew swift condemnation from European officials.
Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, speaking at the same Munich conference, insisted that discussions about Ukraine’s future and European security must involve Europe.
“There’s no way in which we can have discussions or negotiations about Ukraine, Ukraine’s future or European security structure, without Europeans,” Stubb asserted. However, he also urged Europe to take action rather than merely express concerns. “Europe needs to talk less and do more.”
The questionnaire Washington sent to European nations appears to be a wake-up call.
“The Americans are approaching European capitals and asking how many soldiers they are ready to deploy,” a European diplomat revealed. One of the six questions in the document specifically addresses EU member states.
NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, echoed the sentiment, urging European leaders to focus on solutions rather than grievances.
“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 (defense) spending,” he urged in Munich.
France is now in discussions with allies about hosting an informal European leaders’ meeting on Ukraine.
While no firm decision has been reached, a French presidency official confirmed ongoing deliberations.
Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, indicated that such a meeting is expected to take place on Monday.
Talks to Focus on Russia’s Oil Revenues and Territorial Concessions
Kellogg suggested that negotiations to end the war could revolve around territorial compromises from Russia and measures targeting Moscow’s oil revenues.
“Russia is really a petrostate,” he noted, adding that Western nations should do more to enforce economic sanctions.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a passionate speech at the Munich Security Conference, advocating for the establishment of a European army.
According to Zelensky, Europe can no longer assume U.S. military protection and must build its own independent security structure.
“Let’s be honest—now we can’t rule out the possibility that America might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it,” Zelensky stated, referencing a speech by U.S. Vice President JD Vance that, in his view, signaled a shift in transatlantic relations. He emphasized that a European army, including Ukraine, would ensure that “decisions about Europeans are made in Europe.”
Although European nations currently coordinate military efforts through NATO, past proposals for a unified European army have been repeatedly rejected, as governments prioritize national sovereignty in defense matters.
Ukraine’s Critical Minerals and U.S. Investment
Zelensky also raised concerns over a draft minerals agreement with the United States, arguing that it lacks necessary security provisions for Ukraine.
Three sources revealed that Washington has proposed acquiring 50% ownership of Ukraine’s critical mineral resources.
During a visit to Kyiv on Wednesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent presented the draft deal following discussions about opening Ukraine’s vast mineral reserves to American investment.
While Ukraine has not disclosed specifics of the negotiations, two Ukrainian sources confirmed that Kyiv has since submitted a revised version to Washington.
When asked about Kyiv’s reservations regarding the U.S. proposal, Zelensky was forthright: “It’s not in our interest today, not in (the) interest of (a) sovereign Ukraine.”
