Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, recently emphasized the necessity of deploying "at least 200,000" allied troops to enforce any peace agreement in Ukraine. He highlighted the escalating military situation, noting Russia's mobilization of 600,000 troops, with the potential to expand to 1.5 million—a force substantially larger than any single European nation's army. Zelenskyy also called for Europe to strengthen its self-reliance, particularly in light of Donald Trump's return to power in the United States.
Zelenskyy underscored that any ceasefire would require robust Western security assurances. He stated, “200,000, it’s a minimum. It’s a minimum, otherwise it’s nothing.” The Ukrainian leader has engaged in discussions with European allies, including France's President Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, regarding a potential peacekeeping mission.
The President stressed the transformation of Russia into a war economy, outproducing Europe in military terms. He warned that if Vladimir Putin succeeds in Ukraine, he might target other nations next. Zelenskyy asserted, “This is what he [Putin] wants. We will not allow this to happen.”
Highlighting the involvement of North Korean troops in Moscow's war against Kyiv, Zelenskyy noted that these battles are now occurring in locations geographically closer to Davos than Pyongyang. He urged European leaders to remember these realities, stating, “Let’s not forget there is no ocean separating European countries from Russia.”
Zelenskyy called for enhanced defense spending by EU countries, emphasizing the importance of investment in technology and defense systems, particularly drones and modern air defense. He stressed that Europe must "establish itself as a strong, global player, as an indispensable player."
In his view, the best security guarantee for Ukraine and Europe is NATO membership. While most European member countries support this move, opposition remains from the United States, Germany, and pro-Russian governments in Hungary and Slovakia.
The Ukrainian leader ruled out reducing Ukraine's military force from its current 800,000-strong size—one of the Kremlin's demands. He expressed concerns over potential future threats from Russia, warning that Putin could return "with an army 10 times larger than now" to reclaim states that once belonged to the Soviet Union.
Zelenskyy also addressed Donald Trump's promise to swiftly end the conflict if he gains power again. However, he urged Europe to act independently and enhance its own capabilities. “We all need to unite. Europe needs to learn how to fully take care of itself, so the world cannot afford to ignore it,” Zelenskyy stated.