Dutch Prime Minister Schoof and NATO Secretary General Rutte will join several European leaders in Paris today (February 17), to discuss both the situation in Ukraine and European security.
The emergency meeting comes after Trump announced talks would commence with Putin regarding Ukraine, leaving EU leaders feeling “overwhelmed and sidelined”, RTL Nieuws reports.
What happened to Europe’s seat at the table?
The US wants clarity about the form of support Europe will contribute. As long as it does not have that, Trump will not involve Europe in his ongoing negotiations with Russia.
The Netherlands faces questions about what they will supply to maintain security, as the US calls for the support of all European military forces.
READ MORE | Donald Trump might be coming to the Netherlands in June
“We are not sufficiently able to say what we want and can put on the mat,” Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans stated during yesterday’s Buitenhof discussions.
He also acknowledges the Americans’ “businesslike” response to this: “If they do not know what they have in Europe, we do not have a place at the table.”
However, the EU still intends to “prevent Americans and Russians from deciding the future of Ukraine over our heads”, RTL Nieuws reporter, Roel Schreinemachers, states.
Emergency talks in Paris
In response to the ongoing pressure from Trump, Europe draws a seat at its own table — in the form of emergency talks at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and NATO boss Mark Rutte will attend, along with the German, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Danish, and British heads of government.
The meeting, dubbed a “once in a generation” event by UK leader Keir Starmer, follows hot on the heels of Munich’s Security Conference — where most of today’s guest list was in attendance.
In a turbulent world, in which many things can no longer be taken for granted, it is vital that we continue to work together and strengthen our ties. In that spirit, I attended the Munich Security Conference #MSC2025 today and yesterday, accompanied by @ministerBZ Veldkamp,… pic.twitter.com/Nry7AIU060— Dick Schoof (@MinPres) February 15, 2025
“The [Paris] conference is all about Ukraine,” Schoof tells Trouw. “We have to realise what this Russian war of aggression means for the rest of Europe. That is an important message I want to pass on: that we as Europe need to do more.”
In particular, Schoof stresses that Europe will need to discuss how much financial support it will supply Ukraine, as well as what additional support is to be provided: “With how many people, and whether that is land forces or navies, or with F-35s after all?”
Another hot topic of discussion is likely to be the effectiveness of a ceasefire with Russia.
“If you don’t get that right,” Schoof explains, referring to a proposed ceasefire, “you run the risk that within one to two years Russia can develop enough strength to start another war of aggression somewhere else.”
How do you feel about Europe’s exclusion from the Trump-Putin Ukraine discussions? Let us know in the comments below.
