Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday the time has come for the creation of an “armed forces of Europe” and that his country’s fight against Russia has proved that a foundation for it already exists.
The Ukrainian leader said Europe cannot rule out the possibility that “American might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it,” and noted that many leaders have long spoken about how Europe needs its own military.
“I really believe that time has come,” Zelensky told the Munich Security Conference. “The armed forces of Europe must be created.”
Zelensky also alluded to a phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which Trump said the two leaders would likely meet soon to negotiate a peace deal over Ukraine.
Trump later assured Zelensky that he, too, would have a seat at the table to end the war that was sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement, and the same rule should apply to all of Europe,” Zelensky said. “A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at the table. That says a lot,” he added. “The old days are over when America supported Europe just because it always had.”
Zelensky insisted that “three years of full-scale war have proven that we already have the foundation for a united European military force. And now, as we fight this war and lay the groundwork for peace and security, we must build the armed forces of Europe.”
Noting the presence of Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the audience, Zelensky said his idea “wasn’t about replacing the alliance. This is about making Europe’s contribution to our partnership equal to America’s.”
He spoke shortly after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz took aim at the new political tack from Washington under the Trump administration.
Scholz shot back strongly in defence of his stance against the far-right and said his country won’t accept people who “intervene in our democracy” — alluding to remarks by US Vice President JD Vance who scolded European leaders over their approach to democracy.
Even while lashing out at alleged US meddling in Germany’s election next week, Scholz said he was “pleased” at what he called a shared commitment with the United States to the “preserving the sovereign independence of Ukraine,” and agreed with Trump that the Russia-Ukraine war must end.
Zelensky said on Friday that his country wants security guarantees before any talks with Russia. Shortly before meeting with Vance in Munich, Zelensky said he will only agree to meet in-person with Putin after a common plan is negotiated with Trump.
After a 40-minute meeting with Zelensky, Vance said the Trump administration wants the war to end.
Associated Press
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