Zelenskyy Calls for European Army to Strengthen Defense Against Russia
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged for the formation of a European army to counter Russian threats and emphasized the need for security guarantees before peace talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the creation of a European army to boost the continent's defenses during the Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 14, 2025. He warned that Russia was "not preparing for dialogue" to advance possible credible peace talks.
Zelenskyy expressed concerns about intelligence indicating that Russia plans to send troops to its ally Belarus this summer under the guise of training exercises, presenting a direct threat to neighboring NATO countries. "We must build the armed forces of Europe, so that Europe's future depends only on Europeans," he stated.
He further noted, "Putin clearly sees Belarus as just another Russian province now."
In discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Zelenskyy highlighted rising hopes for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal but emphasized that Ukraine wanted "security guarantees" prior to any negotiations with Russia. "This is not a country that wants peace," he remarked about Russia.
Zelenskyy also mentioned in an interview with NBC News that it would be "very, very, very difficult" for Ukraine to survive without U.S. military support, both currently and if a future Russian invasion occurs.
Additionally, he indicated that Ukraine would need to double the size of its army if unable to join NATO. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that U.S. troops would not be stationed in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression, suggesting instead an economic pact to enhance Ukraine's security through its critical mineral resources.
