European leaders gathered in Paris on Monday with a clear mission: ramp up the continent's defense capabilities. While there's a strong push for increased spending, the group remains divided on sending peacekeepers to Ukraine to support any potential peace deal.
During the emergency talks, officials emphasized that concluding a ceasefire in Ukraine without a comprehensive peace agreement would be risky. They also highlighted their willingness to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, but this depends on the level of support from the United States.
\"We agree with President Trump on a 'peace through strength' approach,\" shared a European official, speaking anonymously to Reuters.
The Paris meeting was initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron after U.S. President Donald Trump set up bilateral talks with Russia, notably excluding European allies and Ukraine from the initial negotiations aimed at ending the war. These broader talks are scheduled to begin in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Macron had a conversation with Trump ahead of the Paris meetings, discussing both the emergency gathering and the upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia. A White House official described their call as \"friendly,\" focusing on coordinating the Paris meeting.
Last week, Trump's surprise announcement to discuss ending the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin without consulting Ukraine or European allies sent shockwaves through the region. This move has made European nations more aware that they may need to take on a larger role in ensuring Ukraine's security in the future. 
Reference(s):
Europe talks up defense spending amid Ukraine peace plan divisions
cgtn.com
