An urgent meeting called by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris has exposed deep divisions among European leaders on how to handle U.S. President Donald Trump’s negotiations with Russia over the Ukraine conflict. While all leaders agree on the need to support Ukraine and strengthen European security, they remain split on military involvement, negotiations, and defense spending. The exclusion of Ukraine from the upcoming U.S.-Russia talks has further heightened tensions, raising concerns about Europe’s role in shaping the future of the conflict.

One of the most controversial topics discussed was the proposal to send European peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. Macron has been vocal about reducing Europe’s dependence on the U.S. and taking charge of its own security. While the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautiously supported the idea—only if the U.S. backed it—other leaders were far more skeptical. Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly opposed the idea, arguing that NATO should remain the key security force, while Italy’s Giorgia Meloni warned against escalating the conflict. Poland and Spain outright rejected the troop deployment, instead calling for a stronger diplomatic approach to avoid further tensions.

Another major issue was the exclusion of Ukraine from direct negotiations between the U.S. and Russia. All European leaders strongly opposed this decision, insisting that Ukraine must be included in any peace talks about its future. Many expressed frustration at Trump’s approach, which they believe weakens Europe’s influence in the crisis. The idea that the U.S. and Russia could shape the future of Ukraine without Ukrainian representatives at the table has sparked fears that Europe may be sidelined in crucial decisions.

Despite their disagreements on military action, one area where the leaders found common ground was the urgent need to increase defense spending across Europe. With Trump repeatedly criticizing NATO allies for not contributing enough, European nations are now considering relaxing EU deficit rules to allow for greater investment in military capabilities. While there is no final agreement on how much each country should contribute, there is broad consensus that Europe must become less reliant on U.S. military support in the long run.

This emergency meeting has made it clear that while Europe wants to present a united front, internal divisions remain a major challenge. Macron’s push for greater military independence clashes with the more cautious approach of Germany and Italy, while the Trump administration’s unpredictable stance on Ukraine only adds to the uncertainty. Moving forward, Europe must find a way to align its strategies—or risk being politically sidelined in one of the biggest geopolitical crises of this era.