Irish Examiner view: Peace talks leave Europe in the lurch

For Europe, these are defining moments and for our leaders, it is not just about saving Ukraine, but Europe itself

As US state secretary Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh yesterday to take part in today’s talks with his Russian counterparts on how to end the war in Ukraine, European presidents and prime ministers assembled in Paris trying to figure out how they have been cut from the decision-making process. Picture: Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/AP

As US state secretary Marco Rubio and his cohorts arrived in Riyadh yesterday to take part in today’s talks with his Russian counterparts on how to end the war in Ukraine, European presidents and prime ministers assembled in Paris trying to figure out how they have been cut from the decision-making process.

This scenario is, of course, bad for Europe and possibly Ukraine as well — as it sees both removed from a potential deal which they themselves could be left to police. That is not an appealing outcome for any of Europe’s interested parties.