EU Leaders Meet in Paris Amid US Shift on Ukraine

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron hosted an emergency meeting with European leaders on Monday to discuss a unified response to the US's recent diplomatic efforts on Ukraine. The meeting comes after top US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, questioned Europe's security commitments and democratic principles during a visit to Europe last week.

Macron's meeting with leaders from Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the European Union aimed to address the growing concerns over the US's shift in policy towards Ukraine. The US's decision to engage in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised eyebrows in Europe, with many leaders feeling blindsided by the move.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baercko described the situation as an "existential moment" for Europe, emphasizing the need for the continent to stand up for itself. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also attended the meeting, which aimed to demonstrate unity among European leaders.

The meeting's outcome is expected to be a show of unity, with no firm announcements anticipated. Further discussions are expected to take place at the broader EU level.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the meeting, stating that negotiations with Europe were moving quickly. He also announced that Macron had agreed to brief him on the meeting's conclusions.

The US's support remains crucial for Ukraine, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasizing that a US security guarantee is essential for a lasting peace. Starmer also expressed the UK's willingness to contribute troops to a potential force in Ukraine after a peace deal.

The meeting also touched on the issue of defense spending, with EU nations aiming to increase their military expenditure. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged other leaders to invest more in defense, highlighting Poland's own commitment to spending over 4% of its GDP on defense.

However, not all EU nations were pleased with the exclusive nature of the meeting, with some leaders feeling left out. Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar criticized the selective invitation list, arguing that it undermined the EU's unity and credibility.