President of Ukrainian Valodimir Zelensky Claimed to create the “Armed Forces of Europe” to protect Russia, believing that the US can no longer come to the rescue of the continent.
Zelensky, speaking on the second day of the Munich Security Conference, said Ukraine's three -year fight against the captured Russian army proved that there was a basis for the creation of a European army, which has long been discussed among some continental leaders.
“I really believe it's time,” he said. “Europe's armed forces must be created.”
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It is unclear whether the idea will be conveyed to European leaders. Zelensky is looking Big Military and Economic Support From the European Union and repeatedly warned that other parts of Europe could be vulnerable to Russian expansionist ambitions.
Zelensky insisted that “three years of full -scale war has proved that we already have the basis for the united European military force. And now that we are waging this war and set the basis of peace and security, we must create armed forces, Europe.”
In his speech Zelensky also hinted at a conversation on the phone between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin This week, then Mr Trump said he and Putin would most likely meet agree on a peaceful deal over Ukraine. It was a break with a tougher Biden administration against Moscow over a full -scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Ukraine will never accept transactions made behind our backs without our participation, and the same rule must be applied throughout Europe,” Zelensky said. “A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. More than once he mentioned that America needed Europe at the table. That's a lot of things.”
“The old days ended when America supported Europe just because it has always been.”
Zelenskyy met with Vice -President JD Vance On Friday, to discuss the efforts of Trump's administration, stop the war in Ukraine. Vnes said the United States was looking for a “lasting” world, while Zelenskyy has expressed a desire for extensive discussions to prepare for any end of the conflict.
“We want the murder to stop, but we want to achieve a lasting, lasting peace,” Vnes said. “Not the world that will have Eastern Europe in the conflict in just a couple of years on the road.”
Tobias Schwarz / AFP
In a speech at the conference on Friday, Vens warned that Europe needs to “activate a large form” of defense, emphasizing that Mr. Trump wanted to see European allies in NATO contribute At least 5% of its gross domestic product to increase safety costs.
“While the Trump administration is very concerned about European security and believes that we can come to a reasonable settlement between Russia and Ukraine, we also believe that in the coming years it is important for Europe to intensify more to ensure its own defense, said Vens.
Vens lectured to Europeans at a conference, saying to them: “The threat I am most experienced in Europe is not Russia; this is not China.”
“I am worried about the threat from the inside, the retreat of Europe from some of the most basic values, values shared with the United States,” the vice president said.
European leaders are trying to understand Washington A new new approach to Questions such as democracy and the future of Ukraine. The Trump administration continues to lead to transatlantic conventions that exist after World War II.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz acknowledged the need to support Ukraine, but also acknowledged economic realities, in particular, Germany has budget rules that limit how much it can spend it.
Scholz said that “it is absolutely impossible to finance 2% or even more without changing the debt regulation we have.” However, he believes that the Germans are ready to increase the costs and that “there is broad support for anyone who says we should do more.” He explained that the rules will need to be changed.
Matthias Schrader / AP
He said that “a little disgusting” that some people in Germany and in other places suggested that the increase of such costs is “what we can do”, scratching the hand to assume it would be easy.
“This will not happen if we are not serious unless we are honest with the people who tell them that defense costs will mean that we should also increase the debt we have,” Scholtz said. “We have the strength, we need the authorities, and we have economic opportunities to do what we need.”
He contributed to this report.