Today, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in Riyadh ahead of Russia talks . Simultaneously, European leaders have met in Paris, to discuss Ukraine and defence spending. We hear from Dimiti Trenin a Russian foreign policy expert and former military intelligence officer, on what Russia hopes to achieve from a potential deal. We also hear what role Saudi Arabia is playing in negotiating with the USA on the future of Gaza. Also on the programme: why some scientists have suggested the reintroduction of wolves to the Scottish Highlands to combat climate change and; a new BBC documentary has spent the last nine months following the lives of four young people in Gaza. Image: French President Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen react following a meeting with European leaders on Ukraine and European security at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 17, 2025. (Credit: Abdul Saboor via Reuters)
Foreign welcome to NewsHour from the BBC World Service.
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I'm Krupal Party and it's good to have you with us.
European leaders have met in Paris for impromptu talks on the future of Ukraine.
It is a hastily convened summit off the back of not being invited
by the US to peace talks with Russia,
which are taking place in Saudi Arabia.
The challenge is to put on a united front on security spending
and convince the US That Europe is an invaluable partner at that negotiating table between Russia
and Ukraine
if a ceasefire deal is to be reached.
Britain's prime Minister, Keir Starmer, described it as a once in a generation imperative.
He said he was ready to consider committing British troops as part of an eventual peace deal,
but said a US Backstop on security was essential to stop further Russian aggression.
I'm prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground alongside others
if there is a lasting peace agreement.
But there must be a US Backstop,
because a US Security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia
from attacking Ukraine again.
The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz,