High-level talks between the United States and Russia began today in Saudi Arabia, marking a shift in Washington’s approach to Moscow and raising concerns among European leaders about their exclusion from the discussions.
The meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov follows President Trump’s recent call with Vladimir Putin, fueling fears that agreements could be made without the involvement of Ukraine or its European allies.
The talks take place as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares to travel to Washington next week for his first face-to-face meeting with President Trump since his return to the White House. With European capitals growing increasingly anxious over the future of Ukraine, Starmer has pledged to push for stronger European defence commitments while reaffirming the critical role of the US in ensuring lasting peace.
On Monday, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, gathered in Paris for an emergency summit to coordinate their response to the US-Russia negotiations. Many have expressed concerns that any deal struck without Europe’s input could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and embolden further Russian aggression.
Tom Brufatto, Director of Policy at Best for Britain, said,
"Russia’s illegal invasion has reshaped the global security landscape, and decisions made now will have lasting consequences.
"While it is right that diplomatic channels remain open, the absence of Ukraine and its European allies from these discussions is deeply concerning. When Prime Minister Starmer meets President Trump, he must push for the UK to have a seat at the table to ensure any agreement strengthens European security and upholds Ukraine's sovereignty, rather than undermining them.”
With Starmer set to meet Trump next week, and European leaders pushing for a greater role in securing Ukraine’s future, the coming days will be critical in determining whether Europe’s voice is heard in shaping the outcome of these high-stakes negotiations.