Key Points of Zelensky’s Speech at the Munich Security Conference
- Call for a European Army – Zelensky urged European nations to establish their own joint armed forces, arguing that Europe must take responsibility for its own security.
- Uncertainty Over US Support – He warned that the US might refuse to support Europe in the future, making it essential for European countries to prepare for self-defense.
- Criticism of NATO’s Defense Spending – He highlighted that only a few European countries—Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia—have significantly increased their defense budgets, despite growing threats.
- Money Alone Won’t Stop Russia – Zelensky stressed that financial investments in defense are necessary but not enough to counter Russian military aggression.
- Ukraine’s Military Experience – He argued that Ukraine’s armed forces have the most real-world combat experience in modern warfare and that Europe should leverage this expertise.
- Russia’s Potential NATO Threat – Zelensky warned that Russia is preparing to deploy 100,000 to 150,000 troops, mainly in Belarus, which could signal a future escalation targeting NATO countries.
- Europe Must Decide Its Own Future – He emphasized that security decisions affecting Europe should be made by Europeans, not dictated by external powers.
Munich (Agencies): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged European nations to establish a unified military force, citing growing uncertainty over continued US support in countering Russian aggression. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 15, Zelensky warned that Europe must be prepared to defend itself independently.
“Let’s be clear: We cannot rule out the possibility that America may refuse to cooperate with Europe on issues that threaten it,” Zelensky stated. “Many leaders have talked about Europe needing its own army—an army of Europe. I really believe that the time has come. The armed forces of Europe must be created.”
The call comes amid repeated criticism from US President Donald Trump, who has accused European NATO members of underfunding their defense and warned that Washington may not intervene in the event of Russian aggression. In response, only a handful of countries—including Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia—have announced increases in defense spending.
Zelensky emphasized that financial contributions alone would not be sufficient to deter potential threats. “Of course, we need money, but money alone cannot stop the enemy’s advance,” he said. “Without the Ukrainian army, European armies will not be enough to stop Russia. This is the reality. Only our army in Europe has real, modern warfare experience.”
He further urged European leaders to take responsibility for their own security, asserting that “as we fight this war and lay the groundwork for peace and security, we must build the armed forces of Europe so that Europe’s future depends only on Europeans, and decisions about Europe are made in Europe.”
Zelensky also reiterated concerns over a possible Russian military escalation, warning that Moscow is preparing to deploy 15 divisions—an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 troops—primarily in Belarus. He suggested that NATO could be the next target if Ukraine is unable to withstand Russian advances.
The Ukrainian leader’s call for a European army echoes long-standing debates within the EU over defense integration, though the proposal remains politically and logistically complex. European leaders have yet to respond to Zelensky’s remarks, but his speech is expected to reignite discussions on the continent’s military future.