Belgian government confirms a Ukraine deal without Europe "not an option"
Among the countries that participated in the Paris Consultation on Ukraine, there is unanimous agreement that a resolution without Europe is not an option. This was the message from the Belgian government on Wednesday evening following prime minister Bart De Wever’s digital participation during the discussions.
The Paris summit, held earlier this week at the initiative of French president Emmanuel Macron, did not include Belgium. However, Wednesday’s follow-up discussions reaffirmed Europe's commitment to Ukraine. "There was great unanimity among all participating countries about continued support for Ukraine, about the fact that a deal without Ukraine and without Europe is not an acceptable option, nor can it lead to a desirable result, and about the need for short-term decisions to give our position the necessary strength," the Belgian government stated.
Macron will continue coordinating with the EU and NATO, while De Wever is expected to report to the Core cabinet this Friday.
Trump dismisses Zelensky, questions US support
Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him "a dictator without elections." His remarks came after Zelensky accused Trump of living in a "bubble of Russian disinformation" for suggesting that Ukraine bore responsibility for Russia’s invasion.
"As a dictator without elections, Zelensky had better act quickly, or he will have no country left," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He claimed that Zelensky persuaded the US to spend 350 billion USD on "a war that could not be won and should never have started."
Trump also criticised the financial burden on the US, stating, "Although the US has spent 200 billion dollars more than Europe (...), the US gets nothing in return." He accused Zelensky of refusing to hold elections and suggested the Ukrainian leader was "playing Biden like a fiddle."
According to Trump, the war is far more critical to Europe than to the US "We have a big, beautiful ocean as a divider," he remarked, arguing that Europe had failed to bring peace while Ukraine continued to receive "easy money."
"I love Ukraine, but Zelensky has done a terrible job," Trump added. "His country has fallen apart, and millions of people have died needlessly."
US and Russia hold talks without Ukraine
Amid these developments, US and Russian officials met in Riyadh on Tuesday for a summit on the Ukraine war. The two sides agreed to establish negotiation teams and renew diplomatic ties, without inviting Ukraine. Zelensky has since accused the US of trying to help Russian President Vladimir Putin escape international isolation.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky listens to a question during a press briefing on the change in US position supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion on 19 February, 2025 in Kiev, Ukraine. © PHOTO ZUMA PRESS WIRE
Related news
