Ukraine President Volodimir Zelenski called for the establishment of an “army of Europe” to be kept by Russia, as he suggested that the United States could no longer be assisted by the continent.
As he spoke at the Munich Security Conference, he also said that Ukraine “would never accept deals behind us without our participation” after US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to start peace talks.
In a speech on Friday, in which he attacks European democraciesUS Vice President JD Vance warned that Europe should “intensify the defense” greatly.
Zelenski said, “I really believe the time has come – the armed forces of Europe must be created.”
He said: “Yesterday in Munich, the US Vice President gave it to be understood (that) for decades of old relations between Europe and America.
“From now on, things will be different and Europe must adapt to it.”
Earlier this week, US Secretary of Defense Pete Heges said that the full-scale invasion of Russia in Ukraine was a “factory reset” for NATO, which signals that the union should be “healthy”, “strong” and “real”.
On Saturday, Zelenski said, “Let's be honest. Now we cannot rule out the opportunity for America to say “no” to Europe on a matter that threatens it.
“Many, many leaders have talked about Europe that needs their own military.
“Army, Army of Europe.”
The concept of a European army is something proposed by other leaders, including French President Emanuel Macron, who has long supported his own military to the bloc to reduce his US reading.
Zelenski said: “A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe on the table – it says a lot.
“The old times are over when America supports Europe just because it has always had.”
As the full -scale invasion of Russia in Ukraine is approaching its three -year anniversary, Trump and Heget have said that Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO.
The US Secretary of Defense also said that the return to the borders of Ukraine before 2014 was unrealistic.
Zelenski said “would not take NATO membership for Ukraine from the table.”