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Regarding the situation in Ukraine.
Talks in Brussels, EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasized that no agreement 'behind our backs' could be effective, as she accused Washington of 'appeasement' towards Russia.
"We shouldn't consider any options off-limits before negotiations begin because it caters to Russia's interests and that's what they're hoping for," she said.
Any temporary solution is a compromise," she said, "It will simply not be effective.
Telling allies that the U.S. was no longer "primarily focused" on Europe.
US President Trump's announcement that he planned to start negotiations with Russia on Wednesday shocked Ukraine and its European allies, with several of them openly questioning the strategy.
Before speaking to him, the US president had said he wanted to speak to both leaders together.
He stated in Munich on Friday that he wanted to craft a "plan to stop Putin" with the United States before any negotiations take place.
After a 90-minute phone call with Putin on Wednesday, Trump's first since taking office, the US president said he expected to meet the Russian leader in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine peace negotiations - sparking concerns that Kyiv would be excluded.
The Kremlin stated that Putin and Trump had agreed that it is time to work together, adding that they were eager to arrange a face-to-face meeting as soon as possible, with a focus on broader European security issues.
Ukraine's European supporters have vetoed any attempt to impose a settlement on Kyiv and criticized Washington's apparent readiness to hand over all its advantages to Moscow.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected the idea of a 'dictated peace' and his defense minister described it as 'regrettable' that Washington was already making concessions to the Kremlin.
Member of Parliament Julian Lewis stated in Parliament that President Trump should be reminded that "appeasement led to World War Two," as he called on the government to speedily increase defense spending to 5 percent of the country's GDP.
He said: "Will the government make it clear to President Trump at every possible opportunity that the reason appeasement led to World War Two was that it left a power vacuum in Europe?
The reason why the occupation of Eastern Europe at the end of that war did not lead to a third World War was that the United States filled any potential power vacuum and prevented further aggression.
'If he is pursuing a settlement against the will of the Ukrainian people, at least he should ensure the security of the unoccupied region of Ukraine directly.'
Labour MP Johanna Baxter welcomed the UK's stance that "any negotiations about Ukraine must involve Ukraine".
'The reports of the call between President Trump and Moscow suggest that this is not the Art of the Deal, but rather a pact of appeasement,' she noted, cautioning that further Russian aggression is 'inevitable'.
Hegseth emphasized to NATO partners that 'there is no betrayal here' amidst increasing opposition on the continent.
There is a global recognition and shared interest in achieving peace, both internationally and within the United States.
"That will demand mutual recognition of aspects they do not wish to acknowledge," the US defence chief stated.
Trump, who has been advocating for a swift end to the war, denied that Ukraine is being excluded from direct talks between the two nuclear-armed superpowers.
Ukraine's defense minister, Rustem Umerov, informed NATO supporters in Kyiv that 'we're continuing, we're strong, we're capable, we're able, we will deliver'.
Zelensky's meeting with Vance in Munich will be the latest in a flurry of high-level European meetings for key Trump officials.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent engaged in discussions in Kyiv on Wednesday regarding the provision of access to Ukraine's rare earth deposits in exchange for security support from Washington.
Trump's outreach to Putin was widely anticipated, but the rapid pace of his peace efforts has left many people bewildered after three years of strong Western backing for Kyiv.
Kyiv's European supporters are worried that Trump could coerce Ukraine into a disadvantageous peace agreement, which would leave them facing a strengthened Putin while being responsible for the majority of the costs for post-conflict security measures.
Hegseth said Europe must now provide the "overwhelming share" of aid to Ukraine, and the United States would not deploy troops as a security guarantee under any agreement.
Throughout Russia's conflict with Ukraine since 2022, it has been a constant assertion by Western powers that any decisions regarding Ukraine's future should be made without excluding Kyiv.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized on Thursday the importance of Kyiv being "closely involved" in any discussions regarding the situation in Ukraine.
Britain's defence minister, John Healey, repeated that message.
"There can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine, and Ukraine's voice must be central to any discussions," he said.
China, a country allied with Russia, expressed its 'satisfaction' at seeing the United States and Russia 'enhance their communication'.
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