MONDAY, MONDAY

Haven't these normally arrogant and smugly complacent Euro-types had themselves a heckuva wake-up weekend?

First they were knocked out of the coconut trees by the announcement that the Trump team was meeting the Russian team in Saudi Arabia about Ukraine, and no - the Europeans weren't invited.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — US President Donald Trump revealed Wednesday he expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine peace talks, in an extraordinary thaw in relations after a surprise phone call between the two leaders.

Read more:… pic.twitter.com/pgMjspdrT5

— The Manila Times (@TheManilaTimes) February 13, 2025

Then, just a couple of days later, they get read the riot act on their home turf by that whippersnapper upstart American vice president in front of God and everybody.

Europe is burning, and its leaders are crying—literally.

The chairman of the Munich Security Conference broke down in tears today—not over the Islamist car-ramming attack in Munich, not over the AK-47 shootings in Brussels, but because JD Vance hurt his feelings.

Europe’s very… pic.twitter.com/G90YLri8gX

— Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes_) February 17, 2025

...Europe’s very civilisation is at risk, and instead of facing reality, its leadership weep like infants over criticism. 

This is what unserious, feeble leadership looks like. No wonder the continent is in crisis.

Oh, they know how to show somebody they're serious and don't you know it.

Elven French President Emmanuel Macron did what every dynamic leader does when his masculinity is challenged in such a bold and dismissive manner - he smashed the glass and slammed the hot-red bouton panique, calling an 'emergency meeting ' of all his weak-kneed friends so they could get together and whine..sorry. 

French FM confirms an EMERGENCY meeting on Monday hosted by Macron.

Oh, great—more champagne and black caviar for another EU summit! pic.twitter.com/F2MTPDa8hV

— Russian Market (@runews) February 16, 2025

TALK about those damn pushy Americans and what the group was going to do besides bitch and moan.

Maybe even come to a decision about using harsh language or something in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron is convening European leaders for an emergency summit in Paris on Monday, according to Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

France has yet to confirm the meeting. There are “ongoing discussions about holding an informal meeting, but nothing has been decided yet,” an official in Paris said.

Sikorski said he was "very glad that President Macron has called our leaders to Paris," adding that he expects the European leaders to discuss "in a very serious fashion" the challenges posed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

"President Trump has a method of operating which the Russians call razvedka boyem —reconnaissance through battle: You push and you see what happens, and then you change your position. ... And we need to respond," the Polish minister said at the Munich conference.

WON'T SOMEONE EXPLAIN DONALD TRUMP TO MOI?!?

Key European leaders arrived Monday at the Élysée Palace in Paris for an emergency summit called by French Macron.

EU leaders are looking for "clarity" and a "rational assessment" of President Donald #Trump's foreign policies, @RobParsonsF24 said ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/sfbZibTFdq

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) February 17, 2025

If these guys could stand in the Tuileries and scream in frustration at the top of their lungs like AWFLs here pay thousands to do, we'd all be better off. 

But, no.

They'll have a delightful luncheon in some overdecorated French palace instead to telegraph, 'We're in charge.'

Photo del vertice de emergentia in Paris
——— 🇪🇺🛡️
Photo from the emergency summit in Paris pic.twitter.com/htyQmmOblH

— Omne (@neolatyno) February 17, 2025

Even before arriving in Paris, English Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was first to dip his toe in the chest puffery contest, blurting out that the United Kingdom would be tickled to death to send their military to Ukraine for peace-keeping duties.

Britain said it was ready to send peacekeeping troops to back up any Ukraine peace deal as European leaders gathered on Monday to agree a unified strategy, while Russian and U.S. officials prepared to meet for their own talks to try to end the conflict.

The emergency European summit in Paris came together after President Donald Trump's U.S. administration, Kyiv's main military backer, announced it would sit down with Russia to seek an end to the war. Russia has ruled out conceding territory, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has dismissed the U.S.-Russia talks taking place without him.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's comments on Sunday reflect a realisation among European nations that they will have to do more to ensure Ukraine's security. Washington has made clear that Europe must stop relying on the U.S. for its defence.

...There are also difficult questions about how some European nations, whose public finances are groaning, will pay for such expanded military commitments.

A 'big split is emerging'?

A major divide is emerging in Europe ahead of the Paris emergency meeting.
Germany has rejected the UK's plan to send troops to Ukraine, while Italy and Norway remain undecided on their stance. @eriknjoka brings you this report pic.twitter.com/94IqtrYb7k

— WION (@WIONews) February 17, 2025

Doesn't sound promising.

Even before the gnoshes, Germany's Olaf Scholz came out basically swinging at Starmer for prematurely opening his mouth, so I'm not sure how friendly things were inside once they stopped taking pictures and shut the doors to the room.

Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, has said it was “completely premature” and “highly inappropriate” to discuss peacekeepers in Ukraine while the war was ongoing.

Speaking after a meeting between European leaders in Paris appeared to have been finished, Scholz added he was “a little irritated” about the debate, which he says was taking place “at the wrong time”.

“There must be no division of security and responsibility between Europe and the United States,” he added. “Nato is based on us always acting together and sharing the risk, thereby guaranteeing our security. This must not be called into question.”

For as cuddly and united a face Europe wants to present after the abrupt reemergence of decisive American policy and power projection...

European leaders gathered at the #Elysee Palace in #Paris on Monday for an emergency summit called by #EmmanuelMacron to discuss a coordinated response to the new #US President Donald Trump’s policy shift on the #Ukraine war.#CHANNEL8 #France #Europe pic.twitter.com/jrhJOKQwtd

— Channel 8 English (@Channel8English) February 17, 2025

...the homeboys aren't really holding to tight group messaging.

As European leaders convened in Paris for an emergency meeting on responding to Trump's talks with Putin, Germany, Poland and Spain signalled reluctance to dispatch peacekeeping forces to Ukraine, hours after Britain offered to put “boots on the ground”.https://t.co/X0s06gQnsc

— max seddon (@maxseddon) February 17, 2025

And, once again, Macron - the elitist who famously left Giorgia Meloni off a dinner guest list because she wasn't his type -  has stepped on his own message by being particular about who he invited to the "European" Summit to deal with Ukraine and Trump. The Brahmin class can't help themselves.

Macron slammed for excluding European allies from Paris summit on Ukraine

Despite convening European leaders in Paris to object to being excluded from U.S.-led peace talks with Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron has been criticized himself for not extending invites to key EU member states

As French President Emmanuel Macron convenes European leaders in Paris to discuss military strategies regarding Ukraine, he faces backlash from key European allies for excluding them from the summit.

The gathering, aimed at formulating a unified European stance amid ongoing U.S.-Russia peace discussions, has sparked controversy for leaving out crucial partners in the region.

Czechia was among the first to express its discontent, criticizing Macron’s decision to exclude them from the summit. A Czech government source told French newspaper Le Monde: “In addition to Poland, there is no country that is closer to the war.”

The source further condemned Macron’s “arrogance,” emphasizing that no country hosts more Ukrainian refugees in relative terms.

“No country has more Ukrainian refugees per capita than the Czech Republic, and we manage one of the most effective weapon supply systems,” they added.

Romania also found itself omitted from the summit guest list. Ilie Bolojan, presidential advisor for defense and security, acknowledged the exclusion, stating that despite Romania’s substantial contributions — including overseeing more than 600 kilometers of Ukraine’s border — it had not been invited to Paris “despite his efforts” to get Bucharest in the room.

Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar voiced strong criticism of the summit’s selective invitations, asserting that it undermines European unity. “On a symbolic level, the organizers of the Paris summit show the world that, even within the EU, not all states are treated on an equal footing,” Musar declared. “This does not correspond to the spirit of European integration. This is not the Europe we aspire to, nor a Europe that commands global respect.”

Hungary, known for its non-interventionist stance under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, also condemned the meeting, labeling it a “pro-war” summit. The Hungarian government accused participating European leaders of fueling escalation rather than seeking diplomatic resolutions. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó criticized the summit’s motives, claiming that it gathers “anti-Trump, war-focused, frustrated leaders” who do not want peace.

Zelensky wasn't invited either, but you know he has ideas.

Ukraine wants Europe to swiftly nominate a representative for potential peace negotiations with the US and Russia, one of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s top advisers said.

“It should be a quickly made decision,” Ihor Zhovkva, the deputy head of Zelenskiy’s office, told Bloomberg. “I hope right after the Paris meeting. We should act, not reflect.”

Zhovkva, who is in Brussels for security-related consultations, declined to suggest names, but indicated the person should be at a leader level to have the same status as Zelenskiy, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskiy seconded the notion as well, telling reporters in Kyiv via video conference from the United Arab Emirates, “There must be a representative of Europe.”

So, there was no statement from the meeting, nothing solid to battle Trump, and...that was a waste.

🚨Keir Starmer has now left the emergency meeting in Paris. He says he still wants to send British troops to the Ukraine.

‘I will discuss response to Ukraine with Donald Trump’ - Keir Starmer pic.twitter.com/J3wNt8dBlO

— The Yorkshire Lass (@real_shirelass) February 17, 2025

They'd best stay in shape. I'm thinking it's going to be a long four years for them.