Why has Europe been sidelined in negotiations regarding Ukraine and Russia?

Europe has been sidelined in negotiations because it hasn't invested sufficiently in its own defense and hasn't provided adequate support to Ukraine. This lack of investment has weakened Europe's negotiating position with Russia, as they have no leverage to bring to the table with Putin. Narona explains that if European nations had doubled or tripled their defense spending like Russia has, they would have the necessary bargaining power to participate meaningfully in negotiations. Their current exclusion is a direct consequence of their political lack of will over the past decade and a half.