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European Leaders to Hold Emergency Summit on Ukraine Amid U.S. Shift Toward Russia
European leaders are set to hold an emergency summit on Monday to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, following concerns that the Trump administration’s push to negotiate directly with Russia is sidelining Europe in the peace process.
The urgent meeting, called by French President Emmanuel Macron, will bring together leaders from Germany, Poland, Italy, Denmark, the European Union, and NATO Secretary General, according to European diplomats cited by Reuters. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also expected to attend, calling it a “once in a generation” moment for European security.
The summit comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced last week that negotiations to end the Ukraine war would begin immediately following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump’s Russia-Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, further alarmed European leaders by stating that while Ukraine would be involved in talks, Europe would not be a participant.
U.S. Policy Shift Sparks European Concerns
The developments have upended the previously united front between Washington and its NATO allies, which has been supporting Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began nearly three years ago. Trump’s team has indicated that the U.S. is willing to make key concessions to Russia, including acknowledging that Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO or regain its pre-2014 borders—a stark contrast to previous American policy.
New U.S. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth, speaking in Brussels last week, suggested that Kyiv should accept territorial losses, a statement that was later softened to say that “everything is on the table” in upcoming negotiations. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance warned that Washington could still use economic and military leverage against Moscow if it does not negotiate in good faith.
The shift in Washington’s stance has led to growing unease among European allies, with Zelensky openly expressing concern that Ukraine could be left out of discussions deciding its own fate. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky said he was “not happy” that Trump called Putin before him and warned that a Trump-Putin meeting before a Trump-Zelensky meeting would be even more dangerous.
Europe’s Next Moves
With fears that Ukraine and Europe are being sidelined, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Sunday that the bloc would soon propose new initiatives to bolster European security and continue support for Ukraine.
The U.S., however, appears to be moving ahead with its own peace talks. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with senior Russian officials in the coming days, according to sources cited by CNN. The Kremlin is reportedly assembling a high-level negotiating team for direct talks with the U.S.
As the Trump administration continues its push for a Russia-U.S.-led peace process, European leaders face a critical test in maintaining their role in shaping the outcome of the war. The emergency summit in Paris will serve as a key moment in Europe’s response to Washington’s shifting priorities.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
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