EU foreign ministers will hold emergency meeting on Monday to discuss their next steps before talks between presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, as Europe fears any deal made without Ukraine could force “unacceptable compromises”, according to AFP.
The idea of a US-Russia meeting without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised concerns that a deal would require Kyiv to cede swathes of territory, which the EU has rejected.
EU foreign ministers will discuss their next steps in a meeting by video link on Monday at 1400 GMT, joined by their Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiga.
European leaders pushed hard over the weekend for Ukraine to be a part of the talks.
“The US has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously. Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine’s and the whole of Europe’s security,” the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said.
Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said the United States is working to “schedule” a meeting between Trump and his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts.
Asked on CNN if Zelenskyy could be present, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker responded that “yes, I certainly think it’s possible.”
“Certainly, there can’t be a deal that everybody that’s involved in it doesn’t agree to. And, I mean, obviously, it’s a high priority to get this war to end.”
