Europeans must do more for collective security: French presidency

PARIS: The French presidency said on Sunday that European countries should do more for their collective security, ahead of a top-level meeting in Paris to address growing concerns over US efforts to end the Ukraine war.

“Because of the acceleration of the Ukrainian issue, and as a result of what US leaders are saying, there is a need for Europeans to do more, better and in a coherent way, for our collective security,” an adviser from President Emmanuel Macron´s office said.

Key European leaders are to meet in Paris on Monday to discuss “the situation in Ukraine” and “security in Europe”, according to the French presidency. The heads of government of Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark are expected at the meeting ahead of the third anniversary of Russia´s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Antonio Costa, who heads the European Council representing the European Union´s 27 nations, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, and Nato secretary General Mark Rutte will also be present.

US President Donald Trump blindsided Ukraine and its European backers last week by starting discussions on Russia´s invasion in a call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The new US administration has also warned its Nato allies that Europe will no longer be its top security priority and that it may shift forces too as it switches focus to China.

The Kremlin has pushed for negotiations -- set to kick off in Saudi Arabia in coming days -- to discuss not just the Ukraine war as it nears a third anniversary but also broader European security.

That has sparked fears among European nations that Putin could revive demands he floated prior to the 2022 invasion aimed at limiting Nato forces in eastern Europe and US involvement on the continent.