MUNICH — As the dust settled on the Munich Security Conference, European leaders were left caught off guard by the recent statements of the Trump administration on the war in Ukraine and European defense.

After a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, US President Donald Trump said he and Putin would likely meet soon to negotiate a peace deal over Ukraine. Trump later assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky he also would have a seat at the table.

US officials have indicated that European nations, however, would not be involved — sparking concern and uncertainty in Munich. US Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg, emphasised that Europe will not be included in the upcoming peace talks between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv.

The developments have sparked fears in Europe of jeopardized Ukrainian sovereignty and weakened European security.

European leaders are now set to hold an informal emergency Ukraine summit in Paris with European countries on Monday.

"The message from Munich is clear. Europe is not nice to have. Europe is a must have," said Munich Security Chairman Christoph Heusgen, "President Macron is preparing for a European leaders meeting, for an emergency summit in Paris."

The US announced they intend to meet with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to begin talks aimed at ending Moscow's war.

However, Zelensky said Ukraine wasn't invited to these talks — and that Kyiv wouldn't engage with Russia before discussing with their strategic partners.

The three-day Munich conference was a hub of crisscrossing diplomacy on issues of politics, economics, and defense and security, with top envoys on hand from places as diverse as Syria and Saudi Arabia, and Japan and South Korea, as well as many European leaders. — Euronews