BRUSSELS — Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s sharp criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, where he labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator” and accused Ukraine of igniting the war, has left European leaders scrambling to respond. The unexpected stance has sparked a wave of indignation, emergency meetings, and growing uncertainty across Europe.
European leaders are struggling to decide whether to send their own envoy to the U.S.-Russia peace talks, according to insiders familiar with the ongoing discussions.
Macron’s Push for Unity
Just days after French President Emmanuel Macron held a crisis summit in Paris with Europe’s top powers, he organized a virtual conference on Wednesday that included smaller European nations and Canada. The agenda: address the growing transatlantic crisis and the precarious situation in Ukraine.
While the meeting reinforced Europe’s solidarity with Ukraine and the need for peace, concrete steps remained elusive.
“France and its partners have a clear and united position,” Macron wrote on X early Thursday. “We seek a long-lasting and solid peace in Ukraine.”
He emphasized Europe’s commitment to bolstering its defense, promising decisive actions “in the coming days and weeks.” However, the specifics remain unclear.
U.S. Shifts Focus Away from Europe
In recent days, the U.S. has signaled that Europe is no longer a top priority, raising doubts about their alliance. Trump administration officials have been in Saudi Arabia for talks with Russia about a potential peace deal, notably excluding both Ukraine and any European delegation.
Meanwhile, European nations seem paralyzed, reacting with shock but offering little more than diplomatic statements of concern. The EU remains divided over the idea of sending its own representative to the U.S.-Russia negotiations.
The Push for a European Envoy
Finnish President Alexander Stubb floated the proposal at the Munich Security Conference last weekend. European Council President Antonió Costa brought it up again during a Paris meeting on Monday, but the idea was swiftly dismissed by Germany and France.
“Costa’s suggestion was summarily shot down because France and Germany see nothing in it,” an EU diplomat said. Another diplomat mentioned that Costa might now focus on structuring the conversation more effectively.
Trump’s special Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, has stated that while Europe isn’t expected at the negotiation table, their perspectives will still be considered. Ukrainian officials, however, remain anxious about facing the U.S. and Russia alone.
Ukraine Urges European Representation
Ukrainian diplomatic advisor Ihor Zhovkva stressed the importance of having a European voice during negotiations. “Europeans should offer, as soon as possible, a representative from Europe, one single voice, to be at the negotiating table,” Zhovkva told Euractiv in Brussels.
The fear is that without European backing, Ukraine would be left negotiating against two major powers. “In a worst-case scenario, Kyiv would be in a position of two-against-two instead of one-against-two,” Zhovkva noted.
Divided Opinions in Europe
Euractiv reached out to various EU diplomats to gauge support for appointing a European envoy. While names like Antonió Costa, Ursula von der Leyen, and Kaja Kallas were floated, only Kallas seemed to match the diplomatic weight required for high-stakes negotiations with the U.S. and Russia.
Veteran statesmen like Sweden’s Carl Bildt, Italy’s Mario Draghi, and Denmark’s Anders Fogh Rasmussen were also suggested, but support remained tepid. Some countries, including Hungary and Slovakia, are likely to resist any move toward unified European representation.
“I see no need in duplicating functions or bureaucratic bodies,” a third EU diplomat said. “No prime minister or president will give a mandate to an ‘envoy’ on national security matters.”
Strengthening Ukraine’s Stand
Most EU members favor enhancing Ukraine’s negotiating strength rather than creating new diplomatic posts. “I think we need to first define our position before we start speaking about possible envoys — the sequence seems out of tune,” said a fourth EU diplomat.
A Path Forward
The European Union faces a critical juncture as the U.S. redefines its global alliances. With Ukraine in the balance, Europe must decide how to assert its influence on the global stage. The path to peace may require a unified voice, strategic partnerships, and, most importantly, a commitment to standing by Ukraine through diplomatic action and support.
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