CNN
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European leaders are convening in France for an emergency summit regarding Ukraine, prompted by the Trump administration’s announcement that it would be negotiating with Russia to potentially end the conflict without European involvement.

UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer characterized the Paris meeting as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity for national security. This follows concerns in Kyiv and across Europe that Ukrainian and European leaders may be excluded from peace discussions after Washington’s startling declaration.

In recent days, US President Donald Trump and his top aides have disrupted the previously united stance of Washington and its European NATO partners in backing Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing invasion, which is approaching its third year.

Trump’s approach towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, coupled with remarks from US officials regarding Ukraine and NATO, has caused unease in Europe. Many fear that the US’s strategy for a rapid resolution to the conflict may involve significant concessions to Russia.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are traveling to Saudi Arabia to initiate preliminary discussions regarding Ukraine, scheduled to commence on Tuesday. A Saudi official informed CNN that the nation intends to play a mediation role.

Ukrainian representatives have stated that they will not attend the talks, although Keith Kellogg, the Trump administration’s envoy on Russia-Ukraine relations, has proposed a “dual track” approach and is expected to be in Kyiv this week. On Sunday, Trump affirmed that Ukrainians would participate in the negotiations.

During an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that he would “never accept any decisions made between the United States and Russia concerning Ukraine.”

In addition to Starmer, leaders from Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark are set to join the President of the European Council, the head of the European Commission, and NATO’s Secretary General. French President Emmanuel Macron described the meeting as an “informal session,” according to the Elysée Palace.

In a statement published in the Daily Telegraph, Starmer expressed his “readiness and willingness” to deploy British troops to Ukraine to uphold a peace agreement if required.

The current European diplomatic efforts come on the heels of a “lengthy” phone conversation between Trump and Putin last week, during which the President proclaimed that negotiations to resolve the Ukraine conflict would commence “immediately.” Following this, Ukraine envoy Kellogg indicated that Europe would not be represented in the discussions.

Rubio described the negotiations with Russia as preliminary steps in assessing whether Moscow is genuinely interested in bringing an end to its military actions in Ukraine. He suggested that both Ukraine and Europe could be engaged in the talks if progress is made in a favorable direction. His remarks followed a communication with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, aimed at establishing a dialogue channel.

On Sunday, Macron mentioned that he addressed the issue of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine during a phone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, underscoring Europe’s crucial role in promoting peace in the region.