The leaders of seven European countries plus the EU and NATO will meet in Paris today for a crisis meeting on the future of Ukraine.
The US administration has suggested that peace negotiations will soon take place led by talks between Putin and Trump and including Ukraine, but not, according to the Americans, Europe.
The European Union will be consulted, Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, said, but the EU will not be part of the negotiations.
Leading European figures have responded with shock and anger that Europe might not be part of the conversations which could influence the future course of the Europe.
Heads of government of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, as well as the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and the Secretary General of NATO will meet in Paris this afternoon.
The Taoiseach is not expected to attend.
One of the key issues will be whether Europe is prepared to form a peacekeeping force to send to Ukraine after the war.
Last week, the US Defense Secretary said that America would not be part of such a force. And if Russia were to attack it, the US would not feel obligated to intervene on behalf of its NATO allies.
An EU source said the leaders are meeting in Paris this afternoon “with the aim of bringing together all partners interested in peace and security in Europe.”
Despite no longer being in the EU, British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, will attend the meeting in Paris.
Starmer has reportedly indicated that the UK would be prepared to offer peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.