European leaders gathered in Paris on Monday for emergency talks on the continent’s defense capabilities amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. The meeting, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, focused on increasing defense spending and addressing concerns over potential peacekeeping deployments in Ukraine.

While European leaders acknowledged the need for greater military investment, they remained divided on the idea of deploying troops to Ukraine as part of a peace deal. Some leaders expressed caution, emphasizing that a ceasefire without a solid agreement could be dangerous.

The Paris talks were triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to hold bilateral peace negotiations with Russia in Saudi Arabia, excluding European nations and Ukraine. This move raised concerns among European leaders about diminished U.S. support for Ukraine.

During the meeting, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed a willingness to send peacekeepers but insisted that any deployment should be backed by a U.S. security commitment. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposed immediate troop deployment, calling such discussions premature without a clear peace agreement. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also voiced skepticism, questioning the effectiveness of such a mission.

European officials highlighted the financial challenges of expanding military commitments. Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for easing EU fiscal rules to accommodate increased defense spending without violating deficit regulations.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized the need for strong security guarantees, warning that a fragile ceasefire without concrete measures could lead to further Russian aggression.

As European leaders debated their next steps, senior U.S. and Russian officials prepared for high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, with Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to meet in the coming days. The negotiations in Riyadh, attended by top U.S. and Russian envoys, were set to focus on potential pathways to peace and the broader U.S.-Russia relationship.

While the Kremlin ruled out territorial concessions, Russian officials signaled interest in improving economic cooperation with the U.S. The talks marked a rare direct engagement between the two powers since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

With uncertainties surrounding U.S. commitments, European leaders now face the challenge of securing Ukraine’s defense while navigating divisions over peacekeeping and military spending. The outcomes of the upcoming U.S.-Russia negotiations are expected to play a crucial role in shaping Europe's next course of action.