Zelensky warns Europe against US-Russia security deal as Putin talks continue
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine's president urged European leaders to closely monitor US-Russia discussions about a possible new security framework.
- American envoys travelled to Moscow after negotiations in Abu Dhabi failed to produce a breakthrough on ending the Ukraine war.
- European leaders rejected the need to replace existing security arrangements, with around 40 countries backing a declaration on the continent's security principles.
Ukraine's president urges European leaders to closely monitor Washington's negotiations with Moscow, warning that discussions could reshape the continent's security arrangements.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned European leaders against allowing the United States and Russia to negotiate a new security arrangement for Europe without close involvement from countries on the continent.
Speaking at a summit in Dublin on Thursday, Zelensky expressed concern that ongoing discussions between Washington and Moscow could extend beyond efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
"It's not just about security guarantees for Ukraine. In fact, it's more about some kind of new security framework between Europe and Russia," Zelensky told a summit in Dublin.
"We are waiting for more details, and Europe needs to pay close attention."
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His warning came as US envoys travelled to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin following two days of negotiations in Abu Dhabi that failed to produce a breakthrough towards ending the war.
Suggestions from US representatives about establishing a new European security framework have raised concerns among European leaders that Washington could accommodate Russian demands.
Putin has long called for changes to Europe's security arrangements, including restrictions on NATO's expansion and military presence.
European Council President Antonio Costa rejected the need for a new framework, arguing that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had undermined the existing system.
"There is no need to reinvent the wheel," Costa said.
"Europe had a functioning European security architecture until it was first gradually undermined and ultimately destroyed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine."
European leaders have maintained that discussions about the continent's security arrangements should not take priority over securing an end to the fighting in Ukraine.
Before Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Moscow demanded that NATO withdraw forces from eastern Europe and stop admitting new members. The alliance rejected those demands.
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At the Dublin summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said approximately 40 European countries had endorsed a declaration reaffirming the "key principles" governing European security.
According to a draft seen by AFP, the declaration supported maintaining existing international agreements, including the United Nations Charter and NATO's founding treaty.
It also stressed that "any issue affecting European security must be decided in consultation with the Europeans".
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
