The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, called on Saturday the creation of a European army, saying that the continent could no longer be sure of the protection of the United States and would only obtain Washington’s respect with a military solid.
He also reiterated that kyiv would never accept any agreement to end the Russian-Ukraine war made behind him and predicted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would try to carry the president of the United States, Donald Trump, to the parade of the anniversary of the Second War World Cup on May 9. leader but as an accessory in your own performance. ”
In a passionate speech at the annual Munich security conference of world policy formulators, Zelensky said that a speech by the United States Vice President JD Vance the day before had made it clear that the relationship between Europe and the United States was changing.
“Let’s be honest: now we cannot rule out the possibility that the United States can say that no to Europe on issues that threaten it,” said Zelenskiy, speaking as the war caused by the invasion of his country in Russia, will soon enter his fourth year .
“Many, many leaders have talked about (a) Europe that needs its own army and army. An army of Europe. And I really think the time has come, European forces of Europe must be created. “
He said that a European army, which would include Ukraine, was necessary for the “future of the continent depending only on Europeans and decisions about Europeans take place in Europe.”
He continued: “Is the United States as a market? Yes. But as an ally? I don’t know. To make the answer yes, Europe needs a single voice, not a dozen different. “
Trump administration officials have made clear in recent days that they expect European allies in NATO .
They have also said, however, that they are still committed to the NATO transatlantic military alliance. “The United States needs to see where Europe is heading,” Zelensky said, “and this leadership of European politics should not be just promising, it should make the United States want to be with a strong Europe.”
Zelensky seeks ‘security guarantees’
Zelensky said he looked for “security guarantees” when he met with the United States vice president on Friday to discuss the efforts of the Trump administration to negotiate a truce agreement with Moscow.
Zelensky’s sitting with Vance at the Munich Security Conference occurs when kyiv fights to make sure he is not neglected in Washington’s impulse to conclude the three -year war.
Trump surprised the allies and overturned the status quo of the United States support to Ukraine this week when he announced that he would probably meet the Russian leader Vladimir Putin to begin truce conversations.
Speaking with reporters in Munich, Zelensky emphasized the need to “speak more” with the White House before any war ending is formulated. “We want peace a lot, but we need real security guarantees,” he said after his first meeting with Vance.
Zelensky’s anxiety was also exhibited in a preview of his interview with the US media. NBCsaying that Ukraine “will have low and low chances of surviving without support to the United States.”
Meanwhile, Vance described “good conversations” with Zelensky, and recognized the objective of the administration to close the war.
“We want to achieve lasting and lasting peace, not the type of peace that will have to Eastern Europe in conflict just a couple of years,” Vance said while the meeting concluded.
Zelensky then wrote in X that a Washington envoy would visit kyiv. “We are ready to move as quickly as possible towards a real and guaranteed peace,” he wrote.
The Ukrainian leader has recognized that “it was not very pleasant” that his own phone call with Trump this week took place after the 90 -minute call of Putin.
American officials have insisted that Ukraine will not be left in the cold after three years of fighting Russia’s invasion. Vance said before the Munich meeting that the United States was prepared to press Russia, adding that Europe should “of course” be on the table.
But he also told Europe to “intensify” reinforcing his own defense to allow Washington to concentrate on threats in other parts of the world.
Trump phone number
American officials have sent mixed messages about Washington’s strategy after the head of the Pentagon Pete Hegseth seemed to rule out Ukraine joining NATO or resume all its territory.
That has caused great concerns in kyiv and Europe that Ukraine could be forced to a bad business that leaves the continent facing a emboldened Putin.
But Vance told the Wall Street Journal That Trump would put everything “on the table” in possible conversations, and that Washington could even use “military leverage” against Russia to force an agreement.
He did not give more in an acute opening speech, which focused mainly on scolding Europe for immigration and freedom of expression.
Saudi Arabia, after being named by Trump as a probable place for a meeting with Putin, said he would appreciate having any conversation between the two leaders.
Zelensky seemed to address the fears that Trump was cutting kyiv in saying that the president of the United States had given him his personal number when they spoke.
European allies, who together with Washington are the strongest sponsors of Ukraine, demanded that they are also included in the negotiations that will affect the security of their continent.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said he assured Zelensky that it is “only Ukrainians who can promote discussions for solid and lasting peace” with Russia.
Zelensky said he had discussed with Macron “many important issues, including security guarantees and specific proposals in France.”
In an attempt to keep Washington nearby, Kyiv has held conversations about the granting of access to its rare mineral deposits in exchange for future United States security support.
The EU chief, Ursula von der Leyen, warned that forcing Ukraine to a bad business would damage the interests of the United States. “I think that by working together, we can deliver that fair and lasting peace,” he said.
Chernobyl strike
While Europe nervously monitors the position of the United States in Ukraine, there is little ambiguity in Trump’s determination to get Europe to spend more on its defense.
The fears that Vance could announce an important reduction of US troops in Europe did not materialize, but repeated warnings that Washington needed to focus more on other parts of the world.
Apart from the conference, Vance also met with the leader of the far -right alternative for Germany (AFD), Alice Weidel, according to the German press.
It comes when Vance criticized Germany for blocking the extreme right of possibly sharing power in the next elections.
The conservative candidate and Friedrich Merz’s favorite insists that he would not govern with the AFD or actively seek his support.
In the midst of the diplomatic gust in Munich, Zelensky said that in the field in Ukraine, a Russian drone had hit a roof built to contain radiation in the Chernobyl nuclear energy plant, although he added that the radiation levels were normal.
The Ukraine Air Force said that Russia had launched 133 drones throughout the country during the night, including attack drones, aimed at the northern regions of the country where the Chernobyl plant is located.
Zelensky said the attack was evidence that “Putin is definitely not being prepared for negotiations: he is preparing to continue cheating the world.”
