European leaders are responding to assertive U.S. efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, aiming for a united front and emphasizing the importance of supporting Ukraine's position in any future negotiations. French President Emmanuel Macron is convening a meeting of European leaders and Baltic countries to discuss Ukraine's next steps after recent U.S. announcements. Meanwhile, leaders like Finland's Alexander Stubb are calling for 'maximum pressure' on Russia through sanctions and asset freezes to strengthen Ukraine's negotiating stance.
Alexander Stubb , President of Finland speaks as part of a panel discussion during the Munich Security Conference at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025.
With Moscow's forces making some territorial gains in eastern Ukraine in recent months, Finnish President Alexander Stubb on the last day of the Munich Security Conference called for "maximum pressure on Russia" through sanctions and asset freezes in the lead-up to any talks.
He will host an informal afternoon meeting Monday with the leaders of Germany, the U.K., Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, as well as European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. After a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, Trump said that he and Putin would likely meet soon to negotiate a peace deal over Ukraine. Trump later assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy he also would have a seat at the table. U.S. officials have indicated that European nations, however, wouldn't be involved.
"I can announce that I will propose to activate the 'escape clause' for defense investments," she said. "This will allow member states to substantially increase their defense expenditure. Of course, we will have to do this in a controlled and conditional way.
"The risk that Russia will occupy Europe is 100%," he said in comments to the "Meet the Press" program recorded Friday.
EUROPE UKRAINE RUSSIA WAR PEACE TALKS SANCTIONS MACRON STUBB NATO
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