Russia says no point in inviting Europeans to talks on Ukraine

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday he saw no reason for Europeans to take part in Ukraine truce talks, accusing them of wanting to "continue war" in Ukraine.

- Agencies

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron had a phone call with Donald Trump just as he was about to greet key European Union nations and the United Kingdom at the Elysee Palace on Monday for an emergency meeting on how to react to the US diplomatic blitz on Ukraine, which left the once rock-solid partner as a potential political liability.

Macron's office would not disclose details about the discussion.

Leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark and the European Union held talks on how to deal with Europe's security quandary. Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte also attended the meeting.

Last week, top US officials from the Trump administration made their first visit to Europe, leaving the impression that Washington was ready to embrace the Kremlin while it cold-shouldered many of its age-old European allies.