‘Army of Europe’ needed to challenge Russia says Zelensky
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the formation of a European army to guard against Russian aggression, as he expressed concerns that the US may no longer reliably come to Europe’s aid.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky said, “I really believe the time has come – the armed forces of Europe must be created.” He emphasized that Ukraine would “never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement,” referring to peace talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky also highlighted remarks by US Vice President JD Vance, who warned Europe to strengthen its defense capabilities amid a shifting relationship between Europe and the US.
“Decades of the old relationship between Europe and America are ending,” Zelensky noted. “From now on, things will be different, and Europe needs to adjust to that.”
He expressed concerns that America might refuse aid to Europe in the future, further underscoring the need for a European military. The idea has also been championed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who supports reducing European reliance on the US.
Zelensky criticized Trump’s recent phone call with Putin, in which peace talks on Ukraine were discussed without European involvement. The US president later announced plans to meet Putin in Saudi Arabia. Zelensky warned that Putin aims to isolate America in “one-on-one” discussions and could attempt to use Trump for propaganda purposes during Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated that his country would not support a dictated peace deal, while Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged Europe to develop its own plan for Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Ukraine “will of course one way or another be taking part in the negotiations.”
As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nears its three-year mark, Zelensky reaffirmed that he would not take NATO membership for Ukraine off the table despite doubts expressed by Trump and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Credit: BBC
