European officials have rejected the prospect of Washington and Moscow reshaping the continent’s security arrangements without European participation. Their response followed President Donald Trump’s comments on Thursday, November 5, that a possible agreement related to Ukraine could extend to “all of Europe.” No formal agreement or terms have been announced.
Trump described the potential deal as “very big” and “big, beautiful,” but offered no details. His remarks came after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, according to ABC17 News.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in Warsaw that Europe already had a security architecture and that Russia had repeatedly violated the treaties underpinning it. “Putin does not have a veto over European security,” she said, according to Euronews.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said an agreement about Ukraine and Europe’s future made without European involvement would be “actually impossible.” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said the focus should be protecting Europe from Russia, rather than discussing spheres of influence with Moscow.
Talks on a wider framework are expected
The comments come as the Trump administration pursues efforts to end the war in Ukraine. US representatives held discussions in Brussels with officials from NATO, the European Union and major European powers on security guarantees for Ukraine and broader European arrangements. Jared Kushner, who took part by video, said Washington was working on practical steps to address security concerns and support lasting peace, Deutsche Welle reported.
Further discussions between Kyiv and Moscow were expected in Abu Dhabi the following week. Kushner said the United States intended to consult European partners and could move toward a broader multilateral format if the talks made progress. European officials have made clear that any arrangement affecting the continent’s security would require their involvement.
Nicole French