Belgium’s PM urges EU to gain formal role in peace talks with Russia, fearing exclusion and urging independence from U.S. reliance.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has called on the European Union to gain a formal mandate to begin peace negotiations with Russia, warning that without direct involvement, Europe risks being excluded from key talks and forced to accept unfavorable terms. He argued that military aid and sanctions have failed to change Moscow’s stance and stressed the EU’s dependence on U.S. support, questioning American commitment under President Trump. De Wever emphasized the need for Europe to act independently to protect its interests, citing exclusion from recent U.S.-brokered talks. While EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas insists on clear demands like Russian troop withdrawals before engaging, De Wever’s push reflects growing European concern over the sustainability of relying solely on Western support to end the war.