NATO Demands Ukraine’s Inclusion in Peace Talks as Trump Plans Putin Meeting/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ NATO leaders have insisted that Ukraine and Europe must be part of any peace negotiations, pushing back against the Trump administration’s direct talks with Russia. As President Donald Trump signals a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin, European leaders warn that excluding Kyiv could weaken Western unity and embolden Russia. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied claims that the U.S. is betraying Ukraine, arguing that Washington is simply prioritizing a negotiated peace.
NATO’s Response to Trump-Putin Talks: Quick Look
- European Leaders Alarmed: NATO and EU officials say Ukraine’s exclusion from talks is unacceptable.
- Trump-Putin Meeting in the Works: Trump confirmed he “probably” will meet Putin soon, possibly in Saudi Arabia.
- U.S. Defense Secretary Defends Talks: Pete Hegseth insists the U.S. is seeking peace, not betraying Ukraine.
- EU Calls It “Appeasement”: The EU’s Kaja Kallas warns that preemptive U.S. concessions only empower Russia.
- NATO’s Future in Question: France’s Sébastien Lecornu suggests Trump’s shift could weaken NATO’s long-term strength.
NATO Demands Ukraine’s Inclusion in Peace Talks as Trump Plans Putin Meeting
Deep Look: NATO Allies Push Back on Trump’s Plan for Ukraine Peace Talks
The Trump administration’s decision to pursue direct negotiations with Russia—while excluding Ukraine and Europe from initial talks—has sparked intense criticism from NATO leaders and EU officials.
“There can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine,” declared UK Defense Secretary John Healey at NATO’s defense ministers meeting in Brussels.
European governments fear that Trump’s engagement with Putin signals a major U.S. policy shift—one that could leave Ukraine vulnerable and force European nations to take on a greater defense burden.
Trump Plans Face-to-Face Meeting With Putin
Trump confirmed that he is “probably” meeting Putin soon, potentially in Saudi Arabia, following his back-to-back calls with Putin and Zelenskyy. While details remain unclear, the move has alarmed European leaders, who feel Washington is undermining Western unity by making unilateral decisions about Ukraine’s future.
EU Leaders Call Trump’s Approach ‘Appeasement’
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas sharply criticized Trump’s willingness to offer preemptive concessions to Russia before negotiations have even begun.
“Why are we giving them everything they want before the negotiations have even started?” Kallas asked. “It’s appeasement. It has never worked.”
European officials worry that if Trump signals willingness to freeze the war on Russia’s terms, it could cement Moscow’s territorial gains and block Ukraine’s NATO aspirations—which were previously deemed “irreversible” by the alliance.
NATO Secretary-General: Peace Must Be ‘Enduring’
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that any deal must ensure Putin cannot restart the war later.
“This peace deal must be enduring, so that Putin knows this is the end—he can never again try to capture a piece of Ukraine,” Rutte stated.
Meanwhile, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu expressed concerns about NATO’s long-term future, questioning whether the alliance will remain strong if U.S. priorities continue shifting away from Europe.
“NATO is the biggest and most robust alliance in history,” Lecornu said. “But will that still be the case in 10 or 15 years?”
Europe’s Role in Ukraine’s Defense & Reconstruction
European leaders reject Trump’s assertion that the U.S. is shouldering the burden alone, highlighting that Europe provided 60% of military aid to Ukraine last year.
“We have to be there,” Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stressed. “Otherwise, this peace will not last.”
The European Union has also played a key role in:
- Imposing sanctions on Russia
- Funding Ukraine’s defense efforts
- Planning post-war reconstruction
What’s Next?
- Trump is expected to confirm a meeting with Putin soon, possibly in Saudi Arabia.
- NATO and EU leaders will push for Ukraine’s inclusion in any negotiations.
- Trump’s stance could define NATO’s future, as European nations reassess their reliance on U.S. security guarantees.
With growing rifts between Washington and its NATO allies, the outcome of these negotiations could reshape the geopolitical landscape for years to come.
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