EU and Zelensky reject Trump's 'big, beautiful' European security plan

European Union institutions and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted with scepticism to a new US-proposed security arrangement for the continent put forward by former US President Donald Trump, warning it could sideline Europe and embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump described the idea after a White House meeting with a close Putin associate

The EU's chief for foreign policy, Kaja Kallas, said the continent already has an established security architecture and that any changes must ensure Ukraine is integrated into existing structures. She warned that Moscow must not be given a veto over European security.

Donald Trump, speaking on Thursday after a meeting at the White House with Kirill Dmitriev, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, called the concept a "big, beautiful deal" aimed at reshaping security arrangements in Europe.

Trump said: "It will include more than Ukraine, I might even say it could include all of Europe." Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and one of the mediators between Russia and Ukraine, outlined the initiative as a set of five objectives: permanent security consultations, secure crisis communications, greater military transparency, reciprocal measures to reduce escalation risks, and a lasting framework for long-term European security and stability.

Allied capitals in NATO reported they had not been notified in advance of the U.S. discussions, and several officials expressed scepticism about the idea and the possible diplomatic consequences.

President Zelensky voiced doubts about sequencing and safety: "It is not simple and it can be dangerous for us. First there must be a discussion about how to end the war. Then Ukraine needs security guarantees. Only as a third step can a new European security architecture be discussed. Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire and de-escalation, but there are no signs that Moscow is yielding. That is why this is dangerous," he said.

The Kremlin press spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Russia so far has not seen a European willingness to negotiate the continent's future security nor appointed a negotiator.

Photo: DPA)