Zelenskyy: The time has come – the Armed Forces of Europe must be created
Addressing the Munich Security Conference on February 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a call for the creation of Europe’s own military, the Armed Forces of Europe.
“Many leaders have spoken about Europe needing its own military—an Army of Europe. I believe that time has come. The Armed Forces of Europe must be created,” Zelenskyy told the conference.
This is not harder than standing firm against Russian attacks, as we have already done, he said.
“But this isn’t just about raising defence spending as a GDP ratio. Money is necessary, but money alone won’t stop an enemy assault.
“Weapons and trained soldiers don’t come for free, but it’s not just about budgets. It’s about people realizing the need to defend their own home,” Zelenskyy said.
Without Ukraine’s army, Europe’s armies alone will not be enough to stop Russia, he said.
“Only our army in Europe has real, modern battlefield experience. But our army alone is not enough either. We need what you can provide—Weapons. Training. Sanctions. Financing. Political pressure. And unity.”
Three years of full-scale war have proven that we already have the foundation for a united European military force, Zelenskyy said.
“Now, 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.
“That is why we are talking with European leaders and the US about military contingents that can ensure peace—not just in Ukraine, but across Europe. That is why we are developing joint weapons production, especially drones.”
Zelenskyy said that the Danish model of pooled investments for arms production in Ukraine is already working—and working well.
“Last year alone, thanks to Ukrainian and partner efforts, we produced over 1.5 million drones of various types. Ukraine is now the world leader in drone warfare. This is our success—but it’s also your success.”
Europe has everything it takes, he said.
“Europe just needs to come together and act, so that no one can say ‘no’ to Europe, boss it around, or treat it like a pushover. This isn’t just about stockpiling weapons. It’s about jobs, technological leadership, and economic strength for Europe.”
Zelenskyy said that last autumn, in his Victory Plan, he had proposed replacing part of the US military presence in Europe with Ukrainian forces—if Ukraine is in Nato.
“If the US reduces its presence, it’s dangerous—but Europe must be ready. I raised this even before the US elections, seeing where American policy was heading. But America must also see where Europe is heading.”
This direction of European policy must not only be promising—it should make America want to stand with a strong Europe, Zelenskyy said.
“Europe must decide its own future. We need confidence in our own strength so that others have no choice but to respect Europe’s power. Without a European army, that is impossible.”
Zelenskyy said that this was not about replacing the Nato Alliance.
“This is about making Europe’s contribution to our partnership equal to America’s. We need the same approach in diplomacy—working together for peace. Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement. The same rule should apply to all of Europe.
“No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine. No decisions about Europe without Europe. Europe must have a seat at the table when decisions about its future are made—anything else is nothing. If we are left out of negotiations about our own future, we all lose,” he said.
“Look at what Putin is trying to do. This is his game. He wants one-on-one talks with America—just like before the war, when they met in Switzerland and looked like they were about to carve up the world. Next, he will try to get the US president standing on Red Square on May 9—not as a respected leader, but as a prop in his performance.”
“Does America need Europe?” Zelenskyy said.
“As a market—yes. But as an ally? For the answer to be “yes,” Europe must have a single voice—not a dozen different ones. Even those who regularly visit Mar-a-Lago must be part of a strong Europe—because President Trump doesn’t like weak friends. He respects strength.”
Some in Europe may be frustrated with Brussels, Zelenskyy said.
“But let’s be clear—if not Brussels, then Moscow. That’s geopolitics. That’s history. Moscow will pull Europe apart if we, as Europeans, don’t trust each other,” he said.
“A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at that table. That says a lot. The old days are over—when America supported Europe just because it always had.”
Zelenskyy said that work was being done for European leaders to meet, in Kyiv and online, on February 24 – the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine: “This meeting must deliver a clear vision for our next steps—on peace, security guarantees, and the future of our collective policy. I do not believe in security guarantees without America—they will be weak. But America will not offer guarantees unless Europe’s own guarantees are strong,” he said.
“I also will not take Nato membership for Ukraine off the table. But right now, the most influential member of Nato seems to be Putin—because his whims have the power to block Nato decisions. That’s despite the fact that it was Ukraine’s army that stopped Russia—not a Nato country, not Nato troops, but only our people and army.”
“What happens to the million Russian troops currently fighting in Ukraine? Where they’re going to fight if not in Ukraine?” he said.
“We cannot just agree to a ceasefire without real security guarantees, without pressure on Russia, without a system to keep Russia in check.
“To fight us, Putin pulled troops from Syria, Africa, the Caucasus, even some from some part of Moldova. Right now, he faces a shortage of fighting forces. If this war ends the wrong way, he will have a surplus of battle-tested soldiers who know nothing but killing and looting,” Zelenskyy said.
Referring to the February 14 speech in Munich by US Vice President JD Vance, which Vance devoted to a savage verbal attack on Europe’s leaders, Zelenskyy said that Vance had “made it clear: the old relationship between Europe and America is ending. From now on, things will be different, and Europe needs to adjust”.
“I believe in Europe. And so must you,” Zelenskyy said.
“I urge everyone to act—for your own sake, for the sake of Europe, for your people, your homes, your children, and our shared future. For this, Europe must become self-sufficient—united by common strength, Ukrainian and European.
“Right now, Ukraine’s army, supported by global aid, is holding back Russia. But if not us, then who will stop them? Let’s be honest—we can’t rule out the possibility that America might say ‘no’ to Europe on issues that directly threaten it,” he said.
“And we have clear intel that this summer, Russia plans to send troops to Belarus under the pretext of training exercises. But that’s exactly how they staged forces before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago,” he said.
“Is this Russian force in Belarus meant to attack Ukraine?” he said. “Maybe. Or maybe not. Or maybe – it’s meant for you.”
Let me remind you: Belarus borders three Nato countries. It has effectively become a foothold for Russian military operations, Zelenskyy said.
According to both Putin and Lukashenko, Belarus now hosts banned weapons – medium-range missiles and even nuclear arms, he said.
“Putin clearly sees Belarus as just another Russian province now.
“And we need to be realistic – if someone is setting up a military launchpad, we need to ask: what should we do about it? And more importantly: what can we do before the next attack, the next invasion?”
Remember, there have already been provocations on the Polish and Lithuanian borders with Belarus migrant crises, staged by Russian intelligence to stir up chaos in Europe, Zelenskyy said.
“But what if, next time, it’s not migrants? What if it’s Russian troops? Or North Korean troops? Make no mistake – North Koreans are not weak. They are learning how to fight now, how to fight the modern war.
“And what about your armies? Are they ready?
“And if Russia launches a false flag operation or just straight up with no insignia from Belarus – like how Crimea got taken in 2014 – how fast will the allies respond? And will they respond at all?”
(Photos: Office of the President of Ukraine, and Zelenskyy’s account on X)
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