Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday urged the formation of an ‘army of Europe’, arguing that the continent could no longer rely on U.S. protection and would gain Washington’s respect only through military strength.
He also said Kyiv would never accept any deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war made behind its back, and predicted Russian President Vladimir Putin would try to get U.S. President Donald Trump to Moscow’s May 9 World War Two victory anniversary parade “not as a respected leader but as a prop in his own performance”.
Munich Security Conference
In an impassioned speech to the annual Munich Security Conference of global policymakers, Zelenskyy said an address by U.S. Vice President JD Vance the previous day had made clear the relationship between Europe and the United States was changing.
“Let’s be honest – now we can’t rule out the possibility that America might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it,” said Zelenskyy, speaking as the war triggered by Russia’s invasion of his country will soon enter its fourth year.
Army Of Europe
Speaking about the need for an ‘army of Europe, Zelenskyy said, “Many, many leaders have talked about Europe that needs its own military and army. An army of Europe. And I really believe the time has come, the armed forces of Europe must be created.”
Zelenskyy said an army of Europe – which would include Ukraine – was necessary so that the continent’s “future depends only on Europeans – and decisions about Europeans are made in Europe”.
He continued: “Does America need Europe as a market? Yes. But as an ally? I don’t know. For the answer to be yes, Europe needs a single voice, not a dozen different ones.”
Trump Officials On NATO
Trump administration officials have made clear in recent days that they expect European allies in NATO to take primary responsibility for their own defence as the U.S. now had other priorities, such as border security and countering China.
They have also said, however, that they remain committed to the NATO transatlantic military alliance.
“America needs to see where Europe is heading,” Zelenskyy said, “and this direction of European policy shouldn’t just be promising, it should make America want to stand with a strong Europe.”
Trump Shocks European Allies
Trump shocked European allies by calling Putin this week without consulting them beforehand and declaring an immediate start to Ukraine peace talks.
Zelenskyy told the conference that he believed it would be “dangerous” if Trump met Putin before he and Trump meet.
Ukraine has repeatedly said it wants to come together with the United States and Europe to devise a joint strategy before any Trump-Putin meeting.
The Trump administration so far has left the impression among some European allies that it was making concessions to Putin at Ukraine’s expense before any negotiations begin, though remarks by some top U.S. officials have raised confusion.
Zelenskyy’s Warning
Zelenskyy also warned European leaders that their countries could be next to face a Russian attack.
“If this (Ukraine-Russia) war ends the wrong way, he (Putin) will have a surplus of battle-tested soldiers who know nothing but killing and looting,” he said, citing intelligence reports indicating Russia will dispatch troops to close ally Belarus, another neighbour of Ukraine, this summer.
European nations cooperate militarily primarily within NATO but governments have so far rejected various calls for the creation of a single European army over the years, arguing that defence is a matter of national sovereignty.
Zelenskyy argued that Europe building up military strength would be good not only for security but also for the continent’s economy. “This isn’t just about stockpiling weapons, it’s about jobs, technological leadership and economic trends for Europe.”
G7 States To Work Together
In a sign that there is still some degree of international cooperation in the new Trump era, G7 foreign ministers – including the U.S. – agreed on Saturday on a statement in which they pledged to continue working together to get a durable peace deal for Ukraine with robust security guarantees.
The G7, which includes France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, Britain and the EU, said such guarantees would be meant to “ensure the war will not begin again”.
(With inputs from Reuters)
