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Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has made an unflinching criticism of Europe's weakness, saying the region risks sinking into irrelevance unless it invests heavily in its own defense and deploys 200,000 troops in Ukraine after a ceasefire.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelensky said on Tuesday that Donald Trump's return to the White House means Europe needs to prepare to disengage from the United States from its security.
“Will President Trump notice Europe? Does he think NATO is necessary? Zelensky asked.
Zelensky reiterated his appeal for Europe to provide meaningful security guarantees to Kiev, assuming NATO membership remains beyond Ukraine's control due to suspicions in Washington and other capitals.
If Europe is serious about plans floated by French President Emmanuel Macron to deploy boots on the ground in Ukraine after a ceasefire, it will need at least 200,000 troops to serve as an effective deterrent to Russia and complement Ukraine's 800,000-strong army. Zelensky said.
Macron has been surveying European partners about their willingness to deploy military personnel either to train Ukrainian forces or in sufficient numbers to deter further Russian aggression. However, the idea has gained little traction so far.
“If the security guarantees are weak. . . “Then you will only receive words from Russia, and they will return with war,” Zelensky said.
He said he would resist any attempt by Russia to impose restrictions on the size of the Ukrainian armed forces as part of any peace agreement with Moscow.
The Ukrainian president said that while Western allies consider the United States an indispensable security ally, no one believes the same for Europe.
Does anyone in the United States fear that Europe will one day abandon them? The answer is no.”
He added that it was “not clear” that the Europeans would have a role in any negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
“Europe deserves to be more than just a spectator, as its leaders are forced to work on Site
He supported Trump's call for NATO members to spend up to 5 percent of GDP on defense.
“If it takes 5 percent of GDP to cover defence, so be it.”
Zelensky has barely addressed Trump's stated desire for a quick end to the war – although the US president and his advisers recently said it could take six months to reach an agreement, rather than his campaign boasting of 24 hours. He also did not address Trump supporters who called for an end to US aid to Ukraine.
He insisted his relations with Trump were “good,” but said some of the president's allies had spread disinformation about Ukraine and used Russian propaganda points, so it was crucial for Europe to have a louder voice to counter those messages.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the World Economic Forum earlier on Tuesday that the European Union would stand by Ukraine even if the United States scaled back its support.
“We will continue to support Ukraine without any doubt, whatever happens next,” she added.
