'Time has come': Zelenskyy demands creation of 'armed forces of Europe'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday called for creating a unified “armed forces of Europe,” arguing that the war between Ukraine and Russia already laid the groundwork for such a force.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy warned that Europe must prepare for the possibility that America “might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it”.

“I really believe that time has come,” he said, adding that “the armed forces of Europe must be created.”

He pointed out that while European leaders have long discussed the need for greater military independence, Ukraine’s three year full scale war has proven the necessity of such a force.

The Ukrainian leader also referred to the phone call between former US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which Trump suggested a possible peace negotiation.

While Trump later reassured Zelenskyy that Ukraine would be included in the talks, Zelenskyy remained sceptical of any deals made without direct Ukrainian involvement.

“Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement, and the same rule should apply to all of Europe," he said. “A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at the table. That says a lot.”

Addressing Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, he emphasised that his proposal was not intended to replace Nato but rather to ensure that Europe plays an equal role alongside the US in transatlantic security.

Earlier, in his address to the conference, Zelenskyy accused US, including the Biden administration of not viewing Ukraine as a Nato member.