On Monday afternoon, European leaders convened at the Elysee Palace in Paris for an urgent summit aimed at harmonizing responses to a notable shift in U.S. policy that emerged during the recent Munich Security Conference. There is rising apprehension that the United States and Russia may reach a bilateral agreement to resolve the ongoing war, potentially sidelining Kyiv and its European allies.

Prior to the summit, the French presidency revealed that President Emmanuel Macron had a discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier that day, although specifics of their conversation were not disclosed.

Macron met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who emphasized the importance of “European unity” before the discussions commenced.

“This represents a significant challenge for Europe, the U.S., and our international partners,” Scholz stated.

A spokesperson from the German Defense Ministry expressed that Germany is open to contributing ground troops for a peacekeeping operation, contingent on the right conditions being established. “Germany will not hesitate if the framework is in place,” they noted.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer made headlines earlier on Monday by arriving at the Elysee Palace and suggesting that the UK is prepared to send troops for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.

“This issue transcends the front lines in Ukraine; it concerns the broader security landscape of Europe and the United Kingdom. Our national security is at stake, and we must step up our efforts,” Starmer remarked earlier in the day.

Starmer is also set to meet with Trump in Washington next week, his office confirmed.

The European Union is poised to deliver a strong message of support for Ukraine, as the U.S. has urged Europe to enhance its contributions to assisting Kyiv.

Leading up to the summit, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted on X that European security is “at a critical juncture.”

“This situation is not only about Ukraine; it directly impacts us. We must adopt a sense of urgency in our defense strategies and act swiftly,” she stated.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte remarked over the weekend at the Munich Security Conference that European countries need to propose meaningful solutions for peace if they wish to be part of negotiations.

“If Europeans aspire to have a voice in this matter, they must prove their relevance,” Rutte asserted.