(VOVWORLD) -Leaders of European countries convened an emergency summit in Paris on Monday as they are at risk of losing security guarantees from the US and being excluded from negotiations on the Ukraine conflict.
 French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Elysee, Paris, February 17, 2025. (Photo: Reuters) |
The emergency summit in Paris took place just one day after the Munich Security Conference, where European countries were stunned by the threat of being excluded from US-Russia negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict and harsh criticism from senior US officials, who threatened to abandon security commitments to Europe that have been in place since World War II.
New era in Europe
Attending the emergency summit in Paris were countries assessed by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot as "having the desire and ability" to contribute to Europe’s future security structure – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Denmark (representing the Baltic countries) and the UK, which left the EU in 2016. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was also present.
Observers said the European leaders were confronting three "new realities." First, the US and Europe no longer share the common values that have been the foundation of the trans-Atlantic alliance since 1945. Second, Europe can no longer rely on America's security umbrella. Third, the US's plan to resolve the Ukraine conflict does not acknowledge any role for Europe. Europe must quickly reassess its position and develop an urgent action plan to make its voice heard, not only on the Ukraine issue, but also in shaping the continent's new security framework.
Details of the discussion were not revealed, but the European leaders affirmed that Europe’s security is at a turning point. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “This is a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent. In this moment we have to recognize the new era that we are in, not cling hopelessly to the comforts of the past. It's time for us to take responsibility for our security, for our continent.”
The second major consensus reached at the summit is to increase spending on defense. Right before the summit, EC President Ursula von der Leyen called on member states to prioritize defense spending and adjust the EU's Stability and Growth Pact to allow more flexibility in applying the rule that the "budget deficit should not exceed 3% of GDP."
As of the end of last year, the defense budget of EU countries amounted to over 320 billion euros, which von der Leyen said should be increased significantly. This thought was previously reiterated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“The European part of NATO has to spend more. If you do not spend enough, we have to bring it up to probably 3%. I cannot commit to a number now because they'll do it based on facts and figures based on the capability. It’s absolutely clear if we stick with the current numbers, we will not get there. We will not be safe in four or five years.”
 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Photo: VNA) |
How to ensure security for Ukraine?
Europe’s participation in resolving the Ukraine conflict was one of the reasons for holding the emergency summit, but no tangible decision has been reported. Following the summit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said European countries agreed not to recognize any coercive agreement on Ukraine. It’s not clear how Europe will ensure Ukraine's security if it doesn’t participate directly in the negotiations.
Chancellor Scholz said, “It’s completely premature and the wrong time to be having this discussion now. I’m even a little irritated by these debates. A discussion is being held, over Ukraine's head, on the outcome of peace talks that have not yet taken place, and to which Ukraine has not said ‘yes’, and where Ukraine has not sat at the table. This is highly inappropriate. To put it quite frankly and honestly, we do not know what the outcome will be.”
Daniela Schwarzer, political expert and a board member of Germany’s Bertelsmann Stiftung Institute, said Europe will face many challenges in building a joint action plan to ensure security for Ukraine if the US and Russia reach an agreement to end the conflict, because European countries are still too dependent on the US politically and for security.
She said some countries, such as Italy, Hungary, and Poland, have good relations with the Trump administration and do not want Europe to pursue new policies that will disrupt Europe-US relations, while Germany and France have publicly opposed many new US policies.
Another major issue is that Europe lacks the defense capacity to monitor and maintain peace in Ukraine, should that scenario occur. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a strong advocate for sending European military forces to Ukraine after the conflict, has admitted that the plan would not be feasible without US assistance. Starmer is scheduled to visit the US this weekend to urge President Trump not to abandon the US’s commitments to Ukraine and European security.