Europe concerned over marginalization in Ukraine peace process

As U.S.-Ukraine and U.S.-Russia delegations held separate talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday and Monday, growing concerns are emerging in Europe over its marginalization in the peace negotiations, reported Xinhua.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov described Sunday's talks as "productive and focused," noting that "key points including energy" were addressed. Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, emphasized that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's goal is "to secure a just and lasting peace" for Ukraine and Europe at large.

On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow and Washington share a "desire and readiness" to pursue a peaceful settlement. He noted that the talks covered various technical issues, including a potential resumption of the Black Sea Initiative.

However, the absence of European representation at the talks has sparked concern among officials and analysts. From discussions on the Black Sea to broader peace efforts, some European observers warn that critical decisions are being made without European input.

A Financial Times newsletter on Monday reported that officials from Romania and Bulgaria, two Black Sea nations, privately voiced concern over significant shifts in the region's status quo, arguing such changes could impact their security without giving them a say.

In an article published Monday, Salvador Sanchez Tapia, professor of conflict analysis and international security at Spain's University of Navarra, wrote: "Europe has been left out of negotiating efforts ... This disregard shows how little the continent matters to its North American partner."

He added that, lacking the capacity to support Ukraine as the United States once did, Europe may have little choice but to accept Washington's approach while still attempting to make its voice heard.

Former German diplomat Rudiger Ludeking echoed these concerns in an interview with German media, saying that since U.S. President Donald Trump's return to office, diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow, as well as with Kiev, has intensified, largely bypassing NATO, the European Union (EU), and major European powers. He warned that "the EU could be the loser" in these negotiations.

While some European voices express frustration, others view the talks as a potential step toward de-escalation.

Balazs Orban, political director of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, welcomed the truce discussions, saying that changing circumstances would eventually compel Europe and policymakers in Brussels to adopt a more pragmatic stance. He warned that if the EU maintains its current position, it risks falling behind and becoming increasingly sidelined in the peace process.

In an interview with local N1 Television on Monday, former Croatian Foreign Minister Miro Kovac expressed optimism over the White House's mention of a possible ceasefire by Easter, saying such a development would allow people to "stop dying because it no longer makes sense."