Without Ukraine, the European Union will lack the strength to stop Russia
Europe must establish its own army to counter Russian aggression.
This was stated on Saturday, February 15, by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, during his speech at the Munich Security Conference, as reported by UNIAN.
“Let’s be frank, right now we cannot rule out the possibility that America might say ‘no’ to Europe on issues that threaten it. Many leaders are talking about Europe needing its own army, a European army. I genuinely believe that the time has come: The Armed Forces of Europe must be established,” Zelensky said.
He noted that the European Union will not be able to stop Russia without the assistance of the Ukrainian army, which is currently the only one in Europe with modern combat experience; however, the strength of Ukraine alone will not suffice.
“We need what you can provide: weapons, training, sanctions, funding, political pressure, and unity. Three years of full-scale war have proven that we have the foundation for a unified European military force. And now, while we are engaged in this war and laying the groundwork for peace and security, we must build the Armed Forces of Europe, so that Europe’s future depends solely on Europeans and decisions about Europe are made in Europe,” the President emphasized.
He also warned that Putin plans to send 150,000 Russian soldiers to Belarus for a potential attack on NATO countries.
“We have clear intelligence that this summer Russia plans to deploy troops in Belarus under the guise of military exercises. This is exactly how they positioned troops before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Are these Russian forces in Belarus for an attack on Ukraine? Maybe. Or maybe not. Or perhaps they are for you? Let me remind you, Belarus borders three NATO countries. It has become a staging ground for Russian military operations,” Zelensky stated.