Ex-UK Defense Chief Urges European Inclusion in Ukraine Peace Talks Amid US-Russia Summit

Former UK Defense Secretary Sir Ben Wallace has urged for the inclusion of a European power, such as the UK or France, in the upcoming peace talks between the US, Russia, and Ukraine to prevent Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from being pressured by what Wallace described as two bullying leaders, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump is scheduled to meet with Putin next week, followed by trilateral discussions with Zelenskyy, but European nations are currently excluded from these initial talks, a decision confirmed by the White House. Zelenskyy has been actively engaging with European leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, discussing peace efforts, defense cooperation, and Ukraine's EU membership negotiations. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen emphasized that while Europe is not directly represented at the negotiation table, it is crucial to increase pressure on Russia through sanctions and military aid, with Finland contributing significant support. Wallace highlighted concerns that Ukraine might be coerced into accepting unfavorable peace terms without European involvement and stressed that any peace process should include European countries alongside the US and Ukraine due to their vested interests. The Kremlin has expressed reservations about meeting Zelenskyy directly, and Russia insists on Ukraine adopting a neutral status outside NATO, complicating peace efforts.