Macron and Starmer invited to White House for Ukraine talks
The Trump administration has invited French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the White House for Ukraine talks. This move comes as European leaders raise concerns over Donald Trump’s handling of the war.
US seeks European input on Ukraine strategy
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed the invitation following two emergency meetings in Paris organized by Macron. These meetings aimed to coordinate a unified European response to the growing alignment between Moscow and Washington.
European leaders have expressed fears that Trump could strike a deal with Russia that might undermine both Ukraine and the European Union. Waltz assured that France and the UK will have a place at the negotiation table, signaling a potential shift in US policy.
Rising tensions between Trump and Ukraine
Tensions between Washington and Kyiv have intensified after recent US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, which excluded Ukraine. Trump escalated the situation by calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” and warning that Ukraine’s survival was at stake if he did not act quickly.
Starmer has stated that he is open to deploying peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed such discussions as premature. The division within Europe complicates the West’s approach to stabilizing the region.
EU strengthens sanctions against Russia
As part of its continued pressure on the Kremlin, the EU has approved a 16th package of sanctions targeting Russia. Macron has emphasized the need for increased European defense spending, reinforcing the bloc’s commitment to security.
Macron and Trump previously met in December alongside Zelensky, indicating a long-standing dialogue on Ukraine’s future. With critical decisions ahead, the upcoming White House meeting could shape the next phase of international diplomacy on the conflict.
