Zelensky calls for European army to deter Russia, earn US respect

MUNICH – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Feb 15 for the creation of a European army, saying the continent could no longer be sure of protection from the US and would get respect from Washington only with a strong military.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s administration has

sent a questionnaire to European capitals

asking them what they could contribute in terms of security guarantees for Ukraine as part of any peace deal with Russia, European officials said.

In an impassioned speech to the annual Munich Security Conference of global policymakers, Mr Zelensky said an address by US Vice-President J.D. Vance the previous day had made clear that the relationship between Europe and the US was changing.

“Let’s be honest – now we can’t rule out the possibility that America might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it,” said Mr Zelensky, with the war triggered by Russia’s invasion of his country about to enter its fourth year.

He said a European army – which would include Ukraine – was necessary so that the continent’s “future depends only on Europeans – and decisions about Europeans are made in Europe”.

He continued: “Does America need Europe as a market? Yes. But as an ally? I don’t know. For the answer to be yes, Europe needs a single voice, not a dozen different ones.”

European nations cooperate militarily primarily within Nato, but governments have so far rejected various calls for the creation of a single European army over the years, arguing that defence is a matter of national sovereignty.

US questionnaire

Trump administration officials have made clear in recent days that they expect European allies in Nato to take primary responsibility for their own defence as the US now has other priorities, such as border security and countering China.

However, they also said that they remain committed to the Nato transatlantic military alliance.

European officials told Reuters the US had sent a document to European capitals with questions on the possibility of future troop contributions to guarantee Ukraine’s security, with two of the sources adding that it had been sent earlier this week.

“The Americans have provided Europeans with the questionnaire on what would be possible,” Finnish President Alexander Stubb said.

“This will force Europeans to think, then it’s up to the Europeans to decide whether they actually answer the questionnaire, or whether they answer it together.”

A European diplomat said the document included six questions, with one specifically for member states of the European Union (EU).

“The Americans are approaching European capitals and asking how many soldiers they are ready to deploy,” another diplomat said.

Meanwhile, amid reports that the Trump administration does not think European countries should have a seat at a negotiating table for possible Russia peace talks, Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte told Europeans to get their act together.

“And to my European friends, I would say, get into the debate, not by complaining that you might, yes or no, be at the table, but by coming up with concrete proposals, ideas; ramp up (defence) spending,” he said in Munich.

A senior official from an eastern member state of the EU cast scepticism on Mr Zelensky’s proposal for a European army, saying: “There is a European military force called Nato.”

‘Difficult days, complicated decisions’ for Europe

Mr Trump shocked European allies by

calling Russian President Vladimir Putin

on Feb 12

without consulting them beforehand and declaring an immediate start to Ukraine peace talks.

Mr Zelensky said Kyiv

would never accept any deal to end Ukraine’s war with Russia made behind its back

, and predicted Mr Putin would try to get Mr Trump to Moscow’s May 9 World War II victory anniversary parade “not as a respected leader, but as a prop in his own performance”.

Ukraine has repeatedly said it wants to come together with the US and Europe to devise a joint strategy before any Trump-Putin meeting.

The Trump administration so far has left the impression among some European allies that it was making concessions to Mr Putin at Ukraine’s expense before any negotiations begin, though remarks by some top US officials have raised confusion.

Several European policymakers in Munich said they got the feeling that the Trump administration was still forming its opinion over how the US should handle the Ukraine crisis.

In any case, Europe will need to make tough choices given concerns about further US engagement in the continent’s security, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

“We need to prepare. We will have to face difficult days (and) make complicated decisions and even sacrifices which we weren’t expecting until now to ensure this security,” said Mr Barrot, speaking to reporters at the event.

In a sign that there is still some degree of international cooperation in the new Trump era, Group of Seven (G-7) foreign ministers – including from the US – agreed on Feb 15 on a statement in which they pledged to continue working together to get a durable peace deal for Ukraine with robust security guarantees.

The G-7, which comprises France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, Britain, the US and includes the EU, said such guarantees would be aimed at “(ensuring) the war will not begin again”. REUTERS