Europe says it is committed to Ukraine ahead of Russia-U.S. talks

Europe commits to investing more in security, emphasising support for Ukraine and cooperation with the U.S. in peace talks.

Europe will invest more in security and lead on providing guarantees to Kyiv, but cooperation with Washington to secure peace remains crucial, European leaders said after an emergency meeting held ahead of U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

French President Emmanuel Macron pulled together an urgent meeting after U.S. President Donald Trump arranged bilateral talks between envoys from Washington and Moscow in Saudi Arabia and excluded European allies and Ukraine from them.

“Europe is ready and willing to step up,” NATO boss Mark Rutte said on X after the meeting. “To lead in providing security guarantees for Ukraine. Ready and willing to invest a lot more in our security.”

“Working together with Washington on safeguarding any agreement to end the war in Ukraine remains key,” officials said.

“Everyone feels the great sense of urgency,” Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X. “At this crucial time for the security of Europe we must continue to stand behind Ukraine.”

“Europe will have to make a contribution towards safeguarding any agreement, and cooperation with the Americans is essential,” he said.

It remains unclear, however, how Europe will engage Washington after Mr. Trump stunned Ukraine and European allies calling last week Russian President Vladimir Putin, long ostracised by the West, without consulting them.