Today the European Summit in Paris: war in Ukraine and response to Trump.

Paris Summit: Europe Seeks United Voice for Peace in Ukraine

Today, the French capital is hosting a major extraordinary summit, convened by President Emmanuel Macron, to discuss the future of peace in Ukraine. This meeting is a decisive step to reaffirm Europe's role in the conflict resolution process and to respond to the unilateral initiative of former US President Donald Trump to negotiate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A Summit for European Cohesion

The meeting will be attended by key European leaders: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will also be present, stressing the need for greater European commitment to collective defense. “We can no longer rely solely on the United States for our security. This summit must be the starting point for a stronger and more autonomous European strategy,” Rutte said.

The Geopolitical Challenge

Trump's decision to negotiate alone with Putin has created a wave of concern in the Old Continent. The risk of being excluded from crucial negotiations for the future of Ukraine and European security has pushed Macron to urgently convene this summit. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski had anticipated the meeting from the stage of the Munich Security Conference, stressing the need for coordinated action to prevent Europe from becoming just a spectator.

Zelensky's position: a European army

Further adding weight to the need for a united European response was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke forcefully at the Security Conference, urging European leaders to create a common army. “We cannot rule out that America could say no to Europe on issues that threaten it. Many leaders have spoken about Europe needing its own army, and I firmly believe that the time has come,” Zelensky said. He stressed that without the Ukrainian army, European forces would not be enough to stop Russia, but that Ukraine needs weapons, training, funding and political unity from Europe.

The Role of the United States: Between Mediation and Exclusion

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sought to defuse tensions, assuring that “any agreement will be long-lasting and will involve Ukrainians and Europeans.” However, Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, has made it clear that the main talks will be led by the US and Russia, without direct European participation, guaranteeing only separate consultations.

A scenario of fragile balances

The Paris summit is not just a moment of confrontation, but a concrete attempt to respond to an extremely delicate geopolitical context. Europe, too long dependent on American leadership, now seems determined to build its own security and defense strategy. Macron's statement, which defined the summit as the first of a series of informal meetings to act quickly without being overwhelmed by events, indicates an important change of pace.

The war in Ukraine is not just a local tragedy, but a crucial challenge for the security and unity of the European continent. The Paris summit could be a turning point: an opportunity for Europe to demonstrate that it is not only an economic player, but also a political and military player capable of defending its interests and values. Only time will tell whether this new unity will be enough to guarantee peace and stability on the continent.