BRUSSELS — On Thursday, various NATO members underscored the importance of including Ukraine and European nations in any forthcoming peace discussions concerning the ongoing war with Russia. This statement came alongside U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s assertion that the United States has not abandoned Ukraine in these negotiations.
Following indications from the Trump administration about initiating direct talks with Russia, concerns arose among European nations about being sidelined in a potential resolution to the conflict. Notably, some U.S. officials stated who should not be joining NATO and emphasized that European nations have a critical role in their own defense regarding Russia’s actions.
At NATO headquarters, U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey remarked that it is impossible to hold negotiations about Ukraine that do not directly involve its representatives. He emphasized that Ukraine’s interests must be prioritized in any discussions related to peace efforts.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reinforced that Europe should unquestionably partake in the negotiations, especially as it must bear the consequences of the conflict. Hegseth, responding to claims of disloyalty to Ukraine, articulated that the current dialogue signifies an international commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution and should not be viewed as a betrayal.
Trump’s recent interactions with both President Putin and President Zelenskyy suggest a possible one-on-one meeting with the Russian leader soon, potentially in Saudi Arabia. Hegseth dismissed concerns, arguing there is no betrayal, and that an end to the conflict is in everyone’s best interest.
European Union foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas expressed her astonishment that U.S. officials would suggest concessions to Russia even before substantial negotiations commenced. She warned against making premature concessions, which she viewed as appeasement that could empower Russia.
Furthermore, Hegseth urged European allies to utilize the ongoing war in Ukraine as a critical reminder to bolster their own defense expenditures. Although 23 out of 32 NATO member nations reportedly met the 2% GDP defense spending guideline last year, a substantial number still have not reached this target.
Contrarily, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu characterized the debate surrounding increased military spending as misguided. He noted that many European countries are already enhancing their defense budgets and acquiring more military hardware to assist Ukraine in resisting invasion. Lecornu also raised questions regarding the sustained effectiveness of NATO, given that the U.S., its largest member, is shifting its focus to other global priorities, particularly in Asia.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stressed the necessity for any agreed-upon peace treaty with Russia to be robust and lasting, ensuring that President Putin understands that seizing portions of Ukraine again would not be tolerated.
Highlighting the significant contribution of European nations to Ukraine’s defense, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson indicated that they supplied approximately 60% of military support to Kyiv in the previous year. He asserted that the involvement of European countries is essential, especially in light of U.S. expectations for them to take on greater responsibility for ensuring Ukraine’s security in the future.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur echoed the need for a unified European presence in the negotiations. He pointed out that the EU has imposed sanctions on Russia and significantly invested in Ukraine’s defense, and will likely be tasked with financing the reconstruction of the devastated nation post-conflict. “We must be there. There is no doubt about it; otherwise, this peace will not endure,” Pevkur cautioned.
