Scholz criticizes Starmer's Ukraine peace plan as inappropriate during European leaders meeting

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized UK leader Keir Starmer's proposal for European troops in Ukraine, calling it "completely premature" and "highly inappropriate." Scholz expressed irritation at the suggestion during a meeting of European leaders in Paris. The meeting revealed divisions among European nations regarding troop deployment. Germany, Poland, and Spain opposed sending troops, while the UK, France, and Sweden supported the idea. Scholz emphasized that discussions should not occur without Ukrainian involvement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine was not invited to ongoing peace talks and would reject any outcomes without its participation. Concerns grow over the potential exclusion of Ukraine from critical discussions about its future.