European leaders warn Ukraine against ceasefire without peace deal - Reuters
Ukraine is warned against a ceasefire without a peace agreement (Illustrative photo: facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua)
A group of European leaders at the summit on February 17 in Paris, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron, issued a warning to Ukraine about the danger of freezing the frontline without a peace agreement, according to Reuters.
Several European leaders at a meeting in the French capital agreed that they are willing to provide security guarantees to Ukraine but warned Kyiv against a ceasefire without a peace agreement, a European Union representative told Western media.
"We are ready to provide security guarantees, with modalities to be examined with each party, depending on the level of American support," said the official, discussing the outcomes of the Paris meeting.
Speaking anonymously to Reuters, the EU representative added that they agree with US President Donald Trump on the peace through strength approach.
"We believe it is dangerous to conclude a ceasefire without a peace agreement at the same time," the European official added.
European summit in Paris ahead of US-Russia negotiations
The meeting of European leaders in Paris on Monday, February 17, included French President Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
In addition, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Shuf, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa participated in the summit.
After the meeting, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Europe is ready to take the initiative regarding the provision of security guarantees to Ukraine.
Furthermore, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about his conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron after the summit, with the two leaders coordinating positions on security guarantees for Ukraine.
The summit was convened by French President Emmanuel Macron against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's organization of bilateral talks between US and Russian delegations regarding the cessation of the Russia-Ukraine war. However, the meeting scheduled for February 18 in Saudi Arabia will not involve Ukraine or European allies.
Additionally, the US State Department stated that the meeting in Saudi Arabia does not signify the beginning of negotiations concerning Ukraine.
