But the reality is that for all the EU’s efforts — and the steps taken in recent days are certainly not meaningless — the real conversations about Ukraine and the future of European security are taking place elsewhere.
In almost pleading tones, the leaders set out their “principles” for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia in the summit’s final communique. They included the now well-worn lines that “there can be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine” and, rather forlornly, that “there can be no negotiations that affect European security without Europe’s involvement.”
For the avoidance of doubt, they added: “Ukraine’s, Europe’s, transatlantic and global security are intertwined.” Try telling that to Trump.
To be fair to the EU, they already did.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, traveled to Washington last week to make her case. But Trump’s new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, refused to make time to meet her, in what was seen as a blunt (and far from isolated) snub.
Trump himself has been clear about his disdain for the EU and has so far not even bothered to hold a detailed discussion with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen since returning to office in January.