Zelenskyy Calls for a European Army Amid Rising Russian Threat

Ukrainian President Urges United Military Force to Strengthen Europe’s Security

Munich [Germany], February 16: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the creation of a European Army, warning that Europe must prepare for security challenges independently amid Russia’s growing military build-up.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference (MSC), Zelenskyy raised concerns about Europe’s dependence on the US, suggesting that Washington could refuse to support the continent in future conflicts.

“I really believe that the time has come for Europe to create its own armed forces,” Zelenskyy declared.
“Let’s be honest, now we can’t rule out that America might say ‘no’ to Europe on issues that might threaten it.”

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🔹 Push for a Unified European Defense Strategy

Zelenskyy stressed the urgency of a unified foreign and defense policy for Europe, arguing that such measures would demonstrate the bloc’s seriousness about its own security.

“Europe has everything it takes. It just needs to come together and start acting so that no one can say ‘no’ to it, boss it around, or treat it like a pushover,” he said.

He cited Russia’s military expansion, revealing that Russian President Vladimir Putin is adding 150,000 soldiers to his forces—larger than most European armies—and that Moscow continues opening new recruitment centers every week.

“Oil prices are still high enough for him to ignore the world,” Zelenskyy warned.

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🔹 Russian Troop Movements & NATO’s Response

The Ukrainian leader also claimed intelligence reports indicate that Russia plans to send troops to Belarus under the guise of training exercises this summer, which he fears could signal a potential offensive against European nations.

However, NATO’s military committee chair, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, said that Western intelligence agencies had not yet confirmed these warnings but were closely monitoring the situation.

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🔹 Harsh Words for Putin & NATO Concerns

Zelenskyy dismissed the possibility of negotiating security guarantees with Putin, calling the Russian President a “pathological liar.”

“Putin cannot offer real security guarantees. Not just because he is a pathological liar but because Russia, in its current state, needs war to hold power together. And the world must be protected from that,” he said.

He also reaffirmed Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO, despite US President Donald Trump and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggesting that NATO membership for Ukraine is off the table in any final peace deal.

“I also will not take NATO membership for Ukraine off the table,” Zelenskyy asserted.
“But right now, the most influential member of NATO seems to be Putin because his whims have the power to block NATO decisions.”

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🔹 Russian Drone Strike Near Chernobyl

Just hours before the MSC conference, Zelenskyy revealed that a Russian drone struck the sarcophagus covering the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, carrying at least 15 kilograms of explosives.

“This is not just madness, this is Russia’s stance. A country that launches such attacks does not want peace,” he said.

The attack near the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster has raised further alarms about Russia’s escalating tactics in its ongoing war against Ukraine.

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📍 Tags:

European Army, Ukraine Russia War, NATO Ukraine Membership, Zelenskyy Munich Speech, Russia Belarus Military, Russian Drone Strike, Chernobyl Attack, Putin Ukraine War, NATO Security, Munich Security Conference