Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for at least 200,000 European peacekeepers to secure Ukraine against potential future Russian aggression, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday. Zelenskiy stressed that such a force is a "minimum" requirement for peace and a crucial step to ensure the security of the region after any potential ceasefire agreement.
"The teams have been working on a meeting, they are currently in the process," Zelenskiy confirmed, referencing ongoing efforts to secure a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump, who returned to office on Monday, has pledged to end the war in Ukraine swiftly, though specifics on his strategy remain unclear.
Zelenskiy emphasized that European nations must take greater responsibility for their collective security, advocating for a united European defense policy and increased contributions to NATO. He supported Trump’s call for NATO member states to allocate 5% of GDP to defense spending, stating, "If it takes 5% of GDP to cover defense, then so be it."
President Trump, speaking separately on Tuesday, indicated that his administration is considering additional sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin refuses to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump also underscored the need for European nations to provide greater support to Ukraine.
"We're talking to President Zelenskiy, and we're going to be talking with President Putin very soon," Trump said. He added that discussions are underway regarding the provision of weapons to Ukraine.
Trump revealed he had urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to leverage China’s influence to mediate an end to the conflict. "I said, 'You ought to get it settled.' We did discuss it," Trump noted, though he expressed dissatisfaction with China’s limited response.
Zelenskiy firmly rejected Russian demands for Ukraine to drastically reduce the size of its military, warning that such terms would leave the country vulnerable. "We will not allow this to happen," he stated, citing the disparity in military personnel between Ukraine and Russia as a critical concern.
As Kyiv seeks security guarantees, Zelenskiy called for Europe to strengthen its global role, highlighting the need for the continent to be a robust and self-sufficient defender of peace.
The prospect of peacekeepers and reinforced security measures underscores the urgency of finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. With key discussions on the horizon, the international community watches closely for further developments.