European leaders told Russia that the future of the continent’s security architecture cannot be decided without Europeans at the table, insisting that any future architecture for the region must be decided with Europeans at the table.
Moscow placed security architecture at the top of its priorities during a recent round of peace talks. European leaders pushed back against the move, viewing it as a ploy to divert attention from the war in Ukraine and advance Russia’s ambition to reassert itself as a great power.
“At the end of the day, we will be the ones to define and decide for our future security as Europeans. I have no doubt about that,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday at the start of a leaders’ summit in Dublin, Ireland, according to euronews.
“Europe must first be clear about what it wants. Currently, Europe is very clear regarding its support for Ukraine. Now, must articulate a concrete vision for our peace plan and for the future security architecture,” Macron added.
Face-to-Face Demands and Diplomatic Sequencing
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Russia to engage face-to-face with European representatives. Moscow has yet to consent to direct meetings with European officials.
High-ranking delegates from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, the European Council, and the European Commission participated in the most recent negotiations held in Abu Dhabi.
“Ukraine must sit at the table. Europeans must sit at the table. The Americans and, of course, Russia must sit at the table,” Merz said upon arrival in Dublin.
“It is important that Russia comes to the table and that Russia is ready for talks,” Merz told reporters.
High Representative Kaja Kallas stressed the importance of sequencing the diplomatic process. She outlined a three-step framework: first, a ceasefire in Ukraine; second, a peace settlement; and finally, a discussion on European security architecture.
“We already have a European security architecture in place,” Kallas said, citing the 1975 Helsinki Accords, the 1990 Paris Charter, and the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. “The problem is that Russia is not keeping to those agreements.”
The Trap of Restructuring
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal described the renewed talk about security architecture as a trap set by Moscow. The strategy aims to achieve impossible goals, including the rollback of NATO.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made the containment of NATO a strategic priority before launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Prior to the invasion starting, the Kremlin presented NATO with an ultimatum demanding an end to its eastward expansion alongside the withdrawal of forces from any member states that had joined following 1997. Those demands were rejected outright, and Finland and Sweden subsequently applied to join the alliance.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda insisted that negotiations should take place under fair conditions.
“Discussions should be avoided behind the back of the Ukrainians, and, of course, discussions about the future security architecture of Europe should be with the involvement of the European Union,” Nausėda told reporters.
Moscow’s chief peace envoy, Vladimir Medinsky, strongly emphasized that Russia wants to expand diplomatic discussions beyond the conflict in Ukraine.
“The whole organism is ailing, and Ukraine was just a place where an abscess has burst. Therefore, the entire organism must be treated. A simple adhesive bandage will not suffice,” Medinsky said.
Medinsky refused to engage with European officials due to their military and financial support for Ukraine. Despite this refusal, Putin held a 90-minute phone call with the leaders of Finland and Norway last month.
| Official | Role / Country | Stance on Security Architecture |
|---|---|---|
| Emmanuel Macron | President of France | Europeans must define their own future security. |
| Friedrich Merz | Chancellor of Germany | Russia must engage face-to-face with European representatives. |
| Kaja Kallas | High Representative | Architecture discussions must follow a ceasefire and peace settlement. |
| Vladimir Medinsky | Russian Chief Negotiator | Wants broad talks on regional security, excluding supporting European states. |
Kushner Proposes Post-War Security Framework Through US Mediation
The focus on security architecture gained momentum following actions by US President Donald Trump and his special envoy, Jared Kushner. Kushner recently shared an extensive social media post outlining principles for a post-war framework, which caught European capitals by surprise.
While in Abu Dhabi, Kushner asked Russian representatives to draft proposals for discussion with Europeans. Kushner subsequently traveled to Moscow to secure Putin’s blessing for a multilateral format.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the approach a bit strange and advised European leaders to pay close attention.
