MUNICH (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine expressed on Saturday that the moment has arrived for the establishment of an “armed forces of Europe,” as the reliability of U.S. support for Europe may be diminishing.
In the meantime, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded to U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s comments regarding interference in Germany’s election, criticizing American leaders for their remarks about Europeans’ approach to democracy and their meeting with the co-leader of a German far-right party.
WATCH: Vance addresses European allies on democracy at the Munich Security Summit
On the second day of the Munich Security Conference, both Zelenskyy and Scholz delivered powerful speeches that highlighted the growing divide in transatlantic relations, catalyzed by a series of decisions made by U.S. President Donald Trump.
European leaders are grappling with the repercussions of Trump’s shift in U.S. policy, notably his engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an attempt to resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia suggested on Saturday that Europeans would likely be excluded from any discussions regarding peace in Ukraine.
Emphasizing the need for a stronger Europe, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s three-year struggle against Russia has demonstrated the necessity for a European army—an idea that has been under consideration among various European leaders for some time.
“I truly believe that the time has come,” he declared. “The armed forces of Europe must be established.”
Zelenskyy referenced a recent phone call between Trump and Putin, after which Trump implied a forthcoming meeting with Putin to negotiate a peace agreement for Ukraine. This approach diverges from the Biden administration’s more stringent stance against Moscow following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Trump later reassured Zelenskyy that he would be involved in discussions to end the war, but the Ukrainian president insisted that Europe must also have representation.
“Ukraine will never accept agreements made without our input, and this principle should extend to all of Europe,” Zelenskyy stated, adding that “Trump did not once mention that the U.S. needs Europe at the discussion table.”
“This signifies a great deal,” he remarked. “The era of America supporting Europe merely out of habit is over.”
“As we continue this conflict and work toward establishing peace and security, we must develop the armed forces of Europe,” Zelenskyy asserted.
He clarified that his proposal is not intended to replace NATO. “This is about ensuring that Europe’s role in our partnership is equal to that of America,” he explained.
It remains uncertain whether European leaders will embrace this notion. Zelenskyy has long sought increased military and economic assistance from the European Union and warned that other regions in Europe could also be susceptible to Russia’s expansionist goals.
Despite the bloc—alongside the United States—being one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters, political divisions within the EU regarding its approach to Moscow and economic constraints, including national debt levels that limit defense spending, have hindered further assistance.
Europeans likely to be excluded from Ukraine peace negotiations
European leaders are trying to understand the shift in Washington’s stance on key issues such as democracy and the future of Ukraine, as the Trump administration alters long-standing transatlantic norms established post-World War II.
General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, effectively dismissed the participation of European leaders in any Ukraine-Russia dialogues, despite Zelenskyy’s insistence on their inclusion.
WATCH: EU foreign policy chief discusses the future of Ukraine amidst changing U.S. support
“You can have the Ukrainians, the Russians, and clearly the Americans at the table talking,” Kellogg stated at an event hosted by a Ukrainian tycoon. When pressed about whether this implied no European involvement, he replied: “I’m a realist; I don’t see that as possible.”
“We must secure Ukrainian sovereignty,” he emphasized, before acknowledging that the “European alliance… will be crucial for this.”
When asked what he would say to Trump if he were at the conference, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski indicated he would remind Trump of the U.S. commitment to support Ukraine until its independence is secured.
“The credibility of the United States hinges on the outcome of this war—not just for the Trump administration but for the U.S. as a whole,” Sikorski warned.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock referred to the new U.S. position as a “moment of truth” that necessitates European leaders to unite and address the situation in Ukraine effectively.
“This is a crucial moment. Europe must take a stand,” she asserted. “There can be no lasting peace if it doesn’t resonate with a European consensus.”
Meanwhile, Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir expressed concerns over the ambiguity emanating from Washington.
“People are still uncertain about the U.S. stance. It would greatly benefit us if we could leave this conference with a clearer understanding,” she commented.
German chancellor responds to Vance
Earlier, Scholz expressed satisfaction with what he termed a shared commitment with the United States to “preserve the sovereign independence of Ukraine,” agreeing with Trump on the necessity to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
However, Scholz also criticized the new political direction from Washington, reinforcing his firm opposition to far-right ideologies and stating that Germany will not tolerate external interventions in its democratic processes.
Vance had earlier admonished European leaders at the conference for a perceived retreat of free speech across the continent, asserting that many Americans view Europe as having entrenched interests disguising themselves behind outdated Soviet-era concepts such as misinformation and disinformation.
He argued that no democracy can endure if it dismisses the concerns of millions of voters as “invalid or unworthy of consideration.” Additionally, he met with the co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is currently polling second to Scholz’s Social Democrats ahead of the upcoming elections in Germany on February 23.
In reference to Germany’s historical context, Scholz emphasized that the long-standing commitment to “Never Again”—preventing a resurgence of extreme right ideologies—cannot be reconciled with backing the AfD.
“We will not permit outsiders to meddle in our democracy and our elections, or in the democratic decision-making processes benefiting this party,” he stated. “Such actions are unacceptable, especially among allies and friends. We categorically reject this.”
“The future direction of our democracy is for us to determine,” Scholz concluded.
Blann reported from Kyiv, Ukraine and Keaten reported from Lyon, France. Sylvia Hui in London and Ilia Novikov in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report.
