Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian army, consisting of one million soldiers, could serve as the foundational component of European unified forces. He emphasized that the realization of such an idea depends on the political will of European countries and a shared desire to create a powerful army for the defense of Europe.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Ukraine as a Key Element of European Security
During a conversation with journalists, Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine not only possesses significant military potential but also has unique experience in countering modern threats, particularly from Russia. The President noted that a million-strong Ukrainian army could form the basis for establishing a robust defense structure in Europe; however, the implementation of this project relies on the combined efforts of all European states.
“When it comes to European forces, we are talking not just about numbers, but about capability, about experience. And without the Ukrainian army, without a million Ukrainians, it cannot be done. And this will be the foundation of such an army. But this depends, again, we return to the beginning, to these terms and to the willingness. It is possible to achieve if there is such a desire among all right now. Not only in Ukraine, which is at war, but primarily among Europeans,” Zelensky told journalists.
Challenges for Collective Defense in Europe
Zelensky also pointed out that Russia is ramping up its arms production and increasing troop numbers. He compared Ukraine to a “traffic light” that has stopped the aggression of the Russian Federation, while emphasizing the need for support from partners to effectively deter further threats.
In his speech at a special session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the President of Ukraine once again stressed that Europe needs unified armed forces capable of genuinely defending the continent. He posed a rhetorical question about who would be ready to respond in the event of escalation from Russia against Lithuania or Poland.
European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, supported the initiative to create a European Security Council, considering the growing threats and the position of the United States, which calls for Europe to take on more responsibility for its own defense.
It is worth noting that last year, the European Commission presented the “Rearming Europe/Readiness 2030” initiative aimed at increasing defense spending and developing the European defense industrial complex. The EU’s chief diplomat, Kaia Kallas, emphasized that the main reason for creating a defense strategy is the increasing threats from Russia.