Zelensky Calls for Deployment of 200,000 European Troops to Protect Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urges a significant European military presence to avert future conflicts amid ongoing tensions with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the deployment of at least 200,000 European soldiers to ensure Ukraine's security and prevent a potential new invasion in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
The proposal, reported by Agence France-Presse, was made during Zelensky's participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and further detailed in a statement published on the Ukrainian presidential website.
This marks the first public mention by a high-level Ukrainian official regarding the specific number of European troops envisaged for this purpose.
Discussions on the topic have reportedly been ongoing between Kyiv and its Western allies for several months, albeit away from public scrutiny.
French President Emmanuel Macron had previously suggested the idea of deploying Western forces to Ukraine to monitor any prospective ceasefire agreement with Russia.
Russia has been involved in a military campaign against Kyiv for three years, during which approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory in the eastern and southern regions has been occupied.
There has been speculation in recent weeks about potential negotiations to end the conflict, with questions surrounding the position of newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump.
The United States is a principal provider of military and financial support to Ukraine.
On Tuesday, President Trump did not rule out the possibility of imposing new sanctions on Russia should President Vladimir Putin refuse to engage in negotiations with Ukraine to end the war.
President Zelensky suggested that Trump might impose 'comprehensive sanctions' targeting Russia's energy sector while providing Ukraine with all requested armaments to counter Russian aggression, excluding nuclear arms, which Zelensky noted as beyond consideration.
However, Zelensky acknowledged that achieving an end to the war, which has caused significant devastation in Ukraine and resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides, could be extremely challenging for President Trump.
He emphasized the necessity of recognizing that President Putin does not wish to cease the conflict until reaching his 'fundamental goal,' which Zelensky described as the nullification of Ukraine's independence, asserting that its destruction remains Putin's aspiration.
Moreover, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's refusal to recognize any Russian claims over occupied territories, suggesting that Ukraine might, under certain circumstances, agree to temporary concessions to halt military hostilities.
'We will not forgive, nor offer legal acknowledgment,' Zelensky declared.
'However, we must make every effort to end the hot phase of the war.'
The proposal, reported by Agence France-Presse, was made during Zelensky's participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and further detailed in a statement published on the Ukrainian presidential website.
This marks the first public mention by a high-level Ukrainian official regarding the specific number of European troops envisaged for this purpose.
Discussions on the topic have reportedly been ongoing between Kyiv and its Western allies for several months, albeit away from public scrutiny.
French President Emmanuel Macron had previously suggested the idea of deploying Western forces to Ukraine to monitor any prospective ceasefire agreement with Russia.
Russia has been involved in a military campaign against Kyiv for three years, during which approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory in the eastern and southern regions has been occupied.
There has been speculation in recent weeks about potential negotiations to end the conflict, with questions surrounding the position of newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump.
The United States is a principal provider of military and financial support to Ukraine.
On Tuesday, President Trump did not rule out the possibility of imposing new sanctions on Russia should President Vladimir Putin refuse to engage in negotiations with Ukraine to end the war.
President Zelensky suggested that Trump might impose 'comprehensive sanctions' targeting Russia's energy sector while providing Ukraine with all requested armaments to counter Russian aggression, excluding nuclear arms, which Zelensky noted as beyond consideration.
However, Zelensky acknowledged that achieving an end to the war, which has caused significant devastation in Ukraine and resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides, could be extremely challenging for President Trump.
He emphasized the necessity of recognizing that President Putin does not wish to cease the conflict until reaching his 'fundamental goal,' which Zelensky described as the nullification of Ukraine's independence, asserting that its destruction remains Putin's aspiration.
Moreover, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's refusal to recognize any Russian claims over occupied territories, suggesting that Ukraine might, under certain circumstances, agree to temporary concessions to halt military hostilities.
'We will not forgive, nor offer legal acknowledgment,' Zelensky declared.
'However, we must make every effort to end the hot phase of the war.'
