Mr. Armin Papperger, CEO of arms manufacturer Rheinmetall (photo: CNN)

In an interview with the Financial Times (British newspaper) published on February 18, Mr. Papperger said that European countries are being “put in a difficult position” when Russia and the US conduct negotiations on the Ukraine issue.

The reason is that Europe “does not invest enough” in defense, Mr. Papperger commented.

“If you don’t invest, if you’re not strong enough, they treat you like a child,” said Mr. Papperger, noting that over the past 30 years, many European countries have considered spending 1% of GDP on defense to be acceptable.

However, due to its incompetence, Europe is being treated like a “child” and having to sit at a separate table while the “adults” negotiate the future of Ukraine. 

“When adults eat dinner, children have to sit at a different table,” said Mr. Papperger.

“The United States is negotiating with Russia and there are no Europeans at that table. It is very clear that Europe is being treated like children,” Mr. Papperger added.

According to Mr. Papperger, the US and Russia can agree on a ceasefire in Ukraine. However, this ceasefire is unlikely to establish lasting peace.

Regarding Rheinmetall’s future, Mr. Papperger expressed optimism that the arms company will continue to benefit even if there is a ceasefire in Ukraine, as Europe will invest more in defense in the coming period.

Rheinmetall is one of Europe’s largest arms manufacturers, according to the Kyiv Independent.

The company is supplying ammunition and weapons to Ukraine, such as 155mm artillery shells and Leopard 1 tanks, under a contract with the German government. Last June, Rheinmetall also opened a military vehicle repair facility in Ukraine.

Previously, on February 15, US special envoy for Ukraine, Mr. Keith Kellogg, said that Europe will have no place at the peace negotiation table on Ukraine.

“I’m a realist. I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Mr. Kellogg said when asked about the possibility of European representatives at the negotiating table. 

On February 17, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said he saw no reason for Europe to participate in peace negotiations for Ukraine.

“I don’t know what they will do at the negotiating table. If they are just going there to continue this war, then why invite them?”, Mr. Lavrov said.

Ukrainian soldiers use shoulder-fired missiles provided by the West (photo: RT)

Europe in action

On February 18, President of the European Commission – Ms. Ursula von der Leyen – met with US special envoy Keith Kellogg, in Brussels (Belgium) to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

During the meeting, Ms. von der Leyen stressed that the EU was one of the biggest aid donors to Ukraine during the conflict.

“Europe contributes more financially and militarily than anyone else. We will step up. We want to work with the United States to bring a just and lasting peace to Ukraine,” von der Leyen commented on the social network X.

“Now is the crucial moment,” Ms. von der Leyen stressed.

According to Ms. von der Leyen, the EU is increasing military aid to Ukraine and is ready to provide more aid.

The meeting took place a day before Mr. Keith Kellogg visited Kiev (February 19) to discuss diplomatic and military support and finding a peaceful solution for Ukraine, according to Kyiv Independent.