Trump's 'Surprise Negotiation Declaration'... Europe Says "We Must Participate Too"

"Europe Must Join Negotiations,
Providing 60% of Military Aid to Ukraine"

When U.S. President Donald Trump suddenly announced negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, the European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pushed back. They insisted that Europe and Ukraine, the party involved, must participate in the negotiations.

Donald Trump, President of the United States, is speaking at the White House in Washington DC, USA. Photo by UPI Yonhap News

According to major foreign media including the Associated Press, British Defense Secretary John Healey stated on the morning of the 13th (local time) in Brussels, Belgium, ahead of the NATO defense ministers' meeting, "It is NATO's duty to ensure Ukraine is placed in the strongest possible position in any talks."

Healey said, "There can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine, and Ukraine's voice must be central to any negotiations," adding, "There will be new announcements regarding NATO's support for Ukraine."

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized, saying, "President Trump conceded to Russia even before the Ukraine peace talks began, which is regrettable." He pointed out, "It would have been better to discuss Ukraine's potential NATO membership or concerns about territorial losses at the negotiating table," and emphasized, "It is clear that Europe must participate in the negotiations, especially if Europe is to play a central or major role in the peace order, it needs to be directly involved in the talks."

Swedish Defense Minister P?l Jonson also stated, "Considering that European countries accounted for about 60% of military support to Ukraine last year, and the U.S. demand that Europe take more responsibility for Ukraine's security in the long term, Europe must participate in the negotiations."

Earlier, President Trump posted on his social media platform 'Truth Social' that he had spoken directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump wrote, "We agreed to work closely together, including mutual visits," and added, "I believe these efforts will lead to successful outcomes."