As Europe is called upon to respond to the new reality formed by Donald Trump’s government on the world geopolitical scene, European leaders meet in Paris on Monday in an effort to consolidate the EU’s position in the forthcoming talks on ending war.

Europe is now forced to move rapidly amid concerns about its exclusion as it has not been invited to talks about the future of Ukraine.

The uncertainty that passes through the US strategy is also intensified by the statements of the US president about his forthcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As the British BBC network states in its analysis, the question is whether Europe, which is under pressure, can put aside political differences and internal economic concerns and forge a single stance on its defense spending and its future Ukraine in order to secure its place on the negotiating table.

The message that European leaders have to emit is that Europe is an integral part of the solution and a valuable US partner.

As far as the Trump government is concerned, it is not clear 100% of what it wants to do with Ukraine as the weekend broadcast conflicting messages.

This leaves in Europe a small window of opportunity to try to convince the US president that he is an invaluable partner.

Defensive costs and Ukraine

Europe hopes to do so through this meeting in Paris, focusing on the discussions the two major issues: to spend more on its defense and send troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire.

Europe’s leaders insist that Kiev must be directly involved in the ceasefire talks. They have long supported the view that “decisions for Ukraine cannot be made without Ukraine.”

However, the bet for Europe is even greater.

It is the harsh awareness that the Trump government is not prioritized by relations with European partners, nor the defense of Europe.

As the BBC points out, since World War II, Europe’s security depends on the US.

Depending on the parameters of US-Russia talks on Ukraine, and how strength Putin will come out of them, Europe is afraid that the result could lead to a change in Epirus’s security architecture.

The Baltic and Poland feel very exposed, which creates the need for greater European cooperation and immediate strategic alignment with their allies.

Putin historically opposes NATO’s enlargement to the east. The neighboring countries of Russia – the former Soviet Baltic and Poland – feel very exposed. Not all European countries will be present at Monday’s Summit, but only those that are militarily strong: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark – expected to represent countries of the Baltic and Scandinavia, as well as the President of the European Council and the Secretary General of the NATO Defense Alliance.

Even at the short meeting of Paris, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to agree increases in defense costs. Poland plans to spend 4.47% of its defense in 2025. The United Kingdom is trying to reach, without having, 2.5% of its GDP.

However, European leaders could commit to the better coordination of increasing NATO spending and taking over the most of Ukraine’s reconstruction after the war. The EU is also expected to boost its defense efforts.

Thorn the sending troops

Much of the Paris meeting will also focus on the issue of troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached.

This move is not about the troops of peacekeeping, but rather to a “aid force”, which will be developed behind, instead of above, from any future ceasefire.

The goal of the presence of European troops would be triple. To send a message to the Ukrainians: that they are not alone. Another to the US that Europe is taking responsibility for its defense, and the last message to Moscow, to warn that if it violates the terms of a future ceasefire, it will not only face Kiev. However, the move is expected to encounter reactions inside some countries. In Italy, for example, 50% of respondents do not want to send other weapons to Ukraine, let alone send troops.

The unanswered questions are many:

How many troops should every European country send, for how long, and under what administration? What will be their mission – for example, if Russia violates the terms of an agreed ceasefire, would this mean that European soldiers would be involved in an immediate war with Russia? Will they have US support if this is done?

Europe would like US security guarantee before developing troops in Ukraine and may not eventually receive it.

There is a big issue to decide on Monday and leaders, including British Prime Minister Kir Starmer, go to Paris with their own internal concerns – as they can afford the extra expense for defense. Do they have troops to send to Ukraine? Germany is concerned that specific decisions before the parliamentary elections will affect the outcome.

There are discussions about sending an envoy to Washington after Paris meeting to present Europe’s decisions. Italy Prime Minister George Meloni is close to Trump, for example.

Sir Kir Starmer has planned a visit to Washington in a few days. This could be his opportunity to act as a bridge between Europe and the US.

The meeting in Paris is also expected to be an opportunity to deepen Britain’s relations with EU countries after Brexit. Issues such as trade relations and law enforcement cooperation could be resolved by the United Kingdom hopes to improve with the EU in the future.

For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Europe should depend less on external countries for supply chains, technological skills and especially in defense. Indeed, he had suggested a year ago to send troops to Ukraine.

It is noted that the US has sent a document to European allies, which includes six points and questions, such as which countries would be willing to develop troops in Ukraine as part of a peace agreement and which governments would be ready to increase sanctions against Russia, including the stricter application of existing sanctions.