Zelenskyy: US Troops Needed for Peace in Ukraine

U.S. troops must be part of any effort to secure peace between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

During an interview with Bloomberg at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Zelenskyy said Russia likely would invade his country again if the U.S. did not lead a peacekeeping effort.

"It can't be without the United States," Zelenskyy said. "Even if some European friends think it can be, no, it will not be."

"First of all, nobody will [take the] risk without the United States. The second, that's what can divide NATO, divide EU and USA — that is a goal and dream of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, to divide this unity, and that can be if only Europeans will be [securing peace]."

Although President Donald Trump expressed opposition to NATO's collective defense clause, Zelenskyy added that the U.S. is needed because European countries don't have the necessary military strength.

French President Emmanuel Macron has pushed for the deployment of peacekeepers under a multinational command, and the United Kingdom's far-left Labour Party last year said it considered sending British troops to Ukraine to serve as military advisers and train Ukrainian soldiers, The National Pulse reported.

However, other European nations have balked at the idea of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine.

During a speech at WEF on Tuesday, Zelenskyy aimed his message at fellow European nations.

"Most of the world's now thinking — so, what's going happen to their relationship with America? What will happen to alliances? To support? To trade? How does President Trump plan to end wars?" Zelenskyy said.

"But no one is asking these kinds of questions about Europe. And we need to be honest about that."

He added, "We in Europe look at the United States" as "an indispensable ally."

"In times of war, everyone worries will the United States stay with them? Every ally worries about that. But does anyone in the United States worry that Europe might abandon them someday — might stop being their ally? The answer is 'no,'" he said.

"Washington does not believe Europe can bring them something that is really substantial."

Zelenskyy then issued a warning.

"We're at yet another turning point, which some see as a problem for Europe, but others call a chance. Europe must establish itself as a strong global player; as an indispensable player," Zelenskyy said.

"Let's not forget — there's no ocean separating European countries from Russia. And European leaders should remember this — battles involving North Korean soldiers are now happening in places geographically closer to Davos than to Pyongyang."

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