Munich, Feb. 11, 2025 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for the creation of an “army of Europe” amid rising concerns that the US may no longer provide consistent support for Ukraine and its European allies. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky warned that Europe needs to adjust to changing dynamics, particularly after comments made by US Vice-President JD Vance, who indicated that the longstanding relationship between Europe and America was “ending”.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“Let’s be honest. Now we can’t rule out the possibility that America might say no to Europe on an issue that threatens it,” Zelensky said.
Concerns Over US-Russia Peace Talks
Zelensky also expressed strong opposition to any peace agreements made without Ukraine’s involvement, especially after Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin agreed to start peace talks. He criticized the potential sidelining of Ukraine in discussions about its future, asserting that “we will never accept deals made behind our backs”.
Zelensky’s comments came after Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, stated that while Europe would be consulted, it would not be part of the peace talks between the US and Russia. Kellogg argued that previous negotiations failed because too many countries were involved. His remarks sparked concern across Europe and Ukraine, with many leaders fearing they would be left out of key decisions regarding Ukraine’s security and future.
Trump’s Push for Ukrainian Resources
Zelensky also revealed that he had blocked a Trump-led deal that would have granted the US access to Ukraine’s valuable natural resources, arguing the deal lacked the necessary security guarantees for Kyiv. Trump had pushed for access to rare minerals in Ukraine in exchange for continued aid or compensation for past support.
“It lacks security guarantees for us and does not protect Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
EU Leaders’ Response and Calls for Military Independence
The concept of a European army has been advocated by figures like French President Emmanuel Macron, who has long pushed for a European military force to reduce reliance on the US. However, this idea was quickly rejected by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, highlighting the internal divisions within Europe on how to handle future defense matters.
In response, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that Europe urgently needs its own plan for Ukraine, warning that without such a plan, other global players could dictate Europe’s future.
“Europe needs its own plan on Ukraine, or other global players will decide about our future,” Tusk said.
US-Russia Discussions Continue
Despite these concerns, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call with Russia’s Foreign Minister on Saturday, furthering the dialogue between the US and Russia on the future of Ukraine. This phone call, described as building on Trump’s recent discussions with Putin, raised alarms in Europe about being excluded from the negotiations.
Zelensky also warned that the US’s disengagement from the negotiations could undermine the long-term security of Ukraine and Europe, stating that the old days of automatic US support for Europe were over.
Zelensky’s Continued Push for NATO Membership
While some US officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have suggested that Ukraine’s NATO membership is unlikely, Zelensky made it clear that NATO membership remains on the table for Ukraine. He stated that while he would not remove it from the conversation, Ukraine’s involvement in NATO should be part of the peace discussions.
“We cannot accept a peace that excludes Ukraine or Europe,” Zelensky concluded. “We must have a seat at the table.”
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict nears its third anniversary, Zelensky’s appeal for a more active European military role and greater involvement in peace talks underscores the growing divide between Europe and the US over the handling of the war and Ukraine’s future security.
