**Ukraine and Europe Must Be Involved in Peace Talks, Rubio Says**
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has said that both Ukraine and Europe must play a role in serious negotiations with the US and Russia to end the war. He made these comments as he prepares to travel to Saudi Arabia for talks without representation from Ukraine or the EU.
**US President’s Phone Call Was a Good Step**
Rubio also praised President Donald Trump’s recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying it was a good step, but that action must follow. “Now, obviously it has to be followed up by action, so the next few weeks and days will determine whether it’s serious or not,” he said.
**Ukraine and Europe Will Be Involved in Real Negotiations**
Rubio emphasized that real negotiations would include Ukraine and Europe, as they have been directly affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine. “Ultimately, it will reach a point when you are — if it’s real negotiations, and we’re not there yet, but if that were to happen, Ukraine will have to be involved, because they’re the one that were invaded, and the Europeans will have to be involved because they have sanctions on Putin and Russia as well,” he said.
**European Leaders Express Alarm**
European leaders have expressed alarm at their apparent exclusion from discussions between Russia and the US regarding Ukraine. France plans to host an emergency summit on February 17 over these concerns. President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that both the EU and the US must have a strong presence at the negotiating table once Russia and Ukraine begin peace talks.
**Russia’s Actions Cause Concern**
Russia is increasingly waging an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, according to the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. The country is training 150,000 troops in Belarus for a large-scale operation that could happen as early as this summer, putting neighboring countries at risk.
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