Zelenskyy names conditions for EU peacekeepers in Ukraine
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Any peacekeeping force deployed to Ukraine must include US troops to be effective. Otherwise, there may be a split in NATO, stated President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to Bloomberg.
According to him, Ukraine's European allies do not have enough soldiers to become a real deterrent to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, and “other solution would risk opening up divisions within the NATO alliance.”
"It can’t be without the United States. Even if some European friends think it can be, no, it can’t be. Nobody will risk without the United States," he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Zelenskyy reiterated that negotiations with Russia cannot take place without Ukraine's participation.
"We do not want this to happen behind the backs of Ukraine. I very much believe that the US won’t do that, although I’m not sure that earlier this did not happen. Here I’m speaking not just about America, but some European partners," the Ukrainian President stated.
In addition, Zelenskyy assessed US President Donald Trump's promise to expand US energy exports as a way to put pressure on Moscow, and the upcoming talks as an opportunity for Trump to demonstrate US strength.
"Ending the war should be a victory for Trump, not for Putin. Putin is nobody to him," Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said he wants to secure security guarantees from the United States and Europe, which should be sufficient to deter the Kremlin from a new invasion, “before engaging directly with Putin.”
"The only question is what security guarantees and honestly I want to have understanding before the talks. If he (Trump - ed.) can guarantee this strong and irreversible security for Ukraine, we will move along this diplomatic path," he added.
Zelenskyy's visit to Davos
On January 21, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Davos, Switzerland, for a visit. There, he spoke at the World Economic Forum.
During his speech, Zelenskyy explained why Ukraine needs strong security guarantees and outlined Ukraine's strategy on the path to peace and in relations with the new US President Donald Trump.
