Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that enforcing a peace agreement with Russia would necessitate the deployment of at least 200,000 European peacekeeping troops. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he emphasized the urgency for Europe to bolster its own defense capabilities, especially in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent inauguration.
Zelenskyy highlighted the escalating threat posed by Russia, noting the involvement of North Korean forces supporting Moscow near Ukraine’s borders. He underscored the importance of a substantial international peacekeeping mission to maintain stability and deter further aggression. Rejecting Kremlin demands for a significant reduction in Ukraine’s military, Zelenskyy insisted on maintaining robust national defense forces. He also pointed out that Russia’s military presence in Ukraine has already tripled to 608,000 troops since 2022.
The Ukrainian leader has been in discussions with European counterparts, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to garner support for the proposed peacekeeping initiative. He called for increased European investment in technology and defense to counter Russia’s growing military capabilities. Zelenskyy warned that a Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden President Vladimir Putin to target other nations, transforming Russia into a war economy capable of outproducing Europe militarily.
In response, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured continuous support for Ukraine, even if U.S. aid decreases. She urged EU countries to work more closely together to tackle global competition and avoid a race to the bottom.
Zelenskyy’s appeal underscores the critical need for a unified and proactive European stance to ensure lasting peace and security in the region.
