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French President Emmanuel Macron will host an urgent meeting with European leaders in Paris on Monday, as the U.S. signaled a potential pivot toward Russia, leaving Europe scrambling to reassess its security commitments and support for Ukraine.
The meeting at the Élysée Palace will bring together leaders from Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the European Union, as well as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The emergency talks come after top Trump administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, made statements questioning European security commitments and downplaying NATO’s role.
Trump’s decision to pursue direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine—while largely excluding European allies from the peace talks—has alarmed EU leaders, who fear being sidelined in a geopolitical crisis that directly affects the continent.
A Shock to Europe’s Security Framework
Macron described the situation as a “shock to the system,” as European leaders had largely hoped Trump would maintain the strong transatlantic alliance despite his past criticisms of NATO. Instead, Washington’s diplomatic approach has left Europe increasingly uncertain about its own security.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called the moment “existential.” “It’s a moment where Europe has to stand up,” she warned.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed the need for decisive action. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Starmer emphasized that “U.S. support will remain critical, and a U.S. security guarantee is essential for a lasting peace, because only the U.S. can deter Putin from attacking again.” However, Starmer also suggested the U.K. was prepared to take a more direct role.
“We are ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary,” he wrote. “I do not say that lightly. I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm’s way.”
Macron himself has previously refused to rule out sending Western troops into Ukraine under certain conditions.
Europe’s Defense Dilemma
Beyond the immediate crisis over Ukraine, the Paris meeting is also set to focus on Europe’s broader defense strategy. The EU has long been criticized for relying too heavily on the U.S. for military support, and Trump’s apparent distancing from NATO has accelerated discussions on increasing European defense spending.
While most EU nations agree on raising defense budgets beyond the current NATO target of 2% of GDP, there is disagreement over how to achieve it. Some, including Poland, advocate for immediate increases, while others push for joint borrowing to fund massive military projects.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country already spends over 4% of its GDP on defense—more than any other NATO member—urged his counterparts to invest more. “If we want to decide about the future of Ukraine together with Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, we must also show that we are capable of much more serious investment in our own defense,” Tusk said.
However, he clarified that Poland is not considering sending its own troops to Ukraine at this stage.
EU Division Over Macron’s Approach
While Macron’s meeting signals a united front among Europe’s largest nations, it has also sparked criticism from smaller EU members who were not invited. Some leaders argue that selective decision-making weakens the EU’s credibility and unity.
Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar criticized the gathering as exclusionary. “This is not the Europe that commands respect abroad. This is not the Europe that would be a serious partner to the North American ally,” she said.
Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally of Putin, has threatened to veto any EU initiatives that he deems unfavorable to Russian interests, further complicating Europe’s ability to act decisively.
What’s Next?
No concrete announcements are expected from Monday’s meeting beyond a broad show of unity. However, further discussions will take place at the broader EU level, where all 27 member states will need to agree on any major defense or diplomatic decisions.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is not a part of the Paris meeting, expressed cautious optimism. “Negotiations are moving fast with Europe,” he said in a virtual press conference from Kyiv. He added that Macron had promised to brief him on the meeting’s conclusions.
As Europe scrambles to respond to shifting U.S. foreign policy, one thing is clear: the continent faces a defining moment in its security strategy. Whether EU nations can come together to fill the leadership gap left by the U.S. remains an open question.
