Keith Kellogg: Europe Will Not Take Part in Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks

European nations will not be part of planned peace negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, according to Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Kellogg stated that while Europe would be consulted, it would not be directly involved in the talks.

“I come from the school of realism, and that is not going to happen,” Kellogg said when asked about Europe’s participation. He urged European countries to focus on concrete proposals and increased defense spending rather than debating their role in negotiations.

His remarks come amid growing concerns among European leaders that any agreement reached without their involvement could have long-term implications for the continent’s security.

French President Emmanuel Macron has invited European leaders to Paris for discussions, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Europe must develop its own strategy to ensure its security interests are considered.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also addressed the issue at the conference, stating that the exclusion of European nations from negotiations highlights the need for a stronger and more unified European defense strategy.

“Many leaders have spoken about the need for a European army. I believe the time has come,” Zelenskyy said. He added that decisions regarding Ukraine should not be made without Ukraine’s participation and that the same principle should apply to Europe.

Kellogg, emphasizing a different approach from previous diplomatic efforts, pointed to the failure of past negotiations, such as the Minsk agreements, which involved multiple European leaders but did not result in a lasting resolution.

He stated that the focus must be on securing a credible ceasefire and ensuring that Ukraine retains its sovereignty, with security guarantees that have yet to be defined by the US.

Earlier, the foreign ministers of Ukraine, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Poland, Germany, and the European Union issued a joint statement emphasizing that both Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations to end Russia’s war.

The statement, published by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 13, stressed the need for strong security guarantees and a just, lasting peace as essential for transatlantic security. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later stated that no European nations were currently involved in the planned talks.