European Leaders to Discuss Ukraine's NATO Membership in Paris Amid US Hesitation on Peace Talks

European leaders are scheduled to meet in Paris on Monday, July 17, to discuss, among other things, the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO on an accelerated basis if Russia violates a ceasefire after reaching a peace agreement. This was reported on Sunday, July 16, by the British newspaper The Guardian, citing European diplomatic sources. According to Reuters, the U.S. is turning to its European allies amid concerns that it will need Washington's assistance to ensure security guarantees in Ukraine. Bloomberg reports that negotiations on security guarantees that European countries can provide to Ukraine are being accelerated to ensure Europe is not sidelined in peace talks led by the U.S. Amid announcements that the U.S. does not anticipate European participation in peace talks on ending the war in Ukraine, a summit of European leaders is planned in Paris to develop a common position. Several news agencies, citing diplomatic sources, reported on February 16 that the heads of state and government of European countries would meet in Paris after the Munich Security Conference (MSC) to develop a common position on Ukraine. Reuters reported that the aim of this meeting is to agree on a common position against the backdrop of concerns that peace talks with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine, which the U.S. is promoting, do not anticipate European participation.