US Shunned by European Allies for Top Security Summit

The U.S. has been shunned by European allies after it was not invited to a top security summit that more than 30 nations are attending in France on Tuesday, an unidentified French official told the Associated Press.

Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon for comment via email.

Why It Matters

The security summit in Europe comes as concerns have risen regarding President Donald Trump's alienation of European allies because of rising tensions with Ukraine over peace negotiations with Russia.

The lack of a U.S. invitation could suggest that Europe and other Ukrainian allies no longer have confidence that Washington can effectively mediate negotiations and achieve peace between Moscow and Kyiv.

What To Know

Military officials from nearly all of the 32 NATO member nations will convene in France to discuss creating an international security force for Ukraine on March 11, with the exception of the U.S.

The international security force for Ukraine would be instituted to dissuade Russia from launching another offensive after a ceasefire has been achieved. The idea for the creation of the force came from France and the U.K., which have been spearheading the provision of military and financial aid for Ukraine since tensions have worsened with the U.S.

The anonymous French official said Paris and London are working together on plans for the force meant to be a coalition of nations "able and willing" to be part of an effort to safeguard Ukraine, and the force could include heavy weaponry and weapons stockpiles that could be rushed within hours or days to aid in Kyiv's defense in the event of a Russian attack that violates any ceasefire agreement.

The French official also said that the talks in Paris will consist of two parts—the first a presentation of France and the U.K.'s blueprint for the coalition, and the second focused on "more precise and concrete" discussions in which nations will be invited to say whether and how their militaries might be able to contribute.

The unidentified French official said that U.S. was not invited because "European nations want to demonstrate that they can take responsibility for a large part of the post-ceasefire security framework for Ukraine."

Nations with representatives attending include Ireland, Cyprus, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine and more.

The summit comes after tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine rose because of Washington's peace talks with Russia, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's volatile meeting with Trump at the White House.

The U.S. and Russia held peace talks without Ukraine in Saudi Arabia on February 18 and received heavy criticism from Kyiv and European allies who accused Washington of sidelining Ukraine and alleging that it had made concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin before the talks began.

Tensions between Washington and Kyiv worsened when Trump and Zelensky began verbally sparring, as the American president called for Ukraine to hold elections and called Zelensky a "dictator without elections."

Zelensky and Trump then met in the Oval Office on February 28 to discuss a possible ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine. The leaders, with Vice President JD Vance, engaged in a heated argument in which Trump called Zelensky "disrespectful" and the Ukrainian president was asked to leave and only return when he is "ready for peace."

European allies criticized Trump's conduct during the meeting with Zelensky and reiterated their support for Ukraine on social media.

Following the meeting, Trump halted the provision of all military aid and the sharing of U.S.-generated intelligence with Ukraine.

What People Are Saying

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on X, formerly Twitter: "New defense packages, strengthened air defense, and even more investments in our defense industry. Over the past few weeks, European countries have made dozens of decisions to increase support for Ukraine. Strong positions on the frontline and strong diplomacy must work together to achieve a just and lasting peace. Under U.S. leadership and in cooperation with all of Europe, this is absolutely achievable. Peace is our shared goal. We are grateful to all partners who, together with Ukraine, bring peace closer for all our people every day!"

Marci Shore, a history professor at Yale University, wrote about the security summit on X: "The United States was not invited--and appropriately so."

Gunnar Hökmark, a former member of the European Parliament, on X: "If US really is siding with Russia in order to force Ukraine capitulate, Europe has to recognise that Trump is siding with Russia regarding European security, threatening us instead of putting pressure on Putin, that's a new world order."

What Happens Next

In addition to leading the summit, France and the U.K. have been working on a ceasefire plan to present to the U.S.

Washington and Kyiv have begun a meeting Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war and achieving peace.