Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged European leaders to take collective action to defend their continent against Russian aggression, warning that a minimum of 200,000 allied troops would be needed to enforce any peace deal. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of European countries establishing themselves as strong global players and forming a united front against Russia.
Zelenskyy cited North Korean involvement in Moscow’s war against Kyiv, highlighting the proximity of these battles to Europe. He also discussed the possibility of an international peacekeeping operation, stressing that 200,000 troops would be a minimum requirement. This number is significantly higher than Ukraine’s current army size of 800,000 soldiers.
The Ukrainian president ruled out reducing Ukraine’s military strength in response to Russian demands. Instead, he advocated for membership in NATO as the best guarantee of Western security assurances. However, some European countries, including Germany and Hungary, oppose this.
Zelenskyy’s remarks come as US President Donald Trump returns to power, promising to end the conflict quickly. The Ukrainian president stressed that any ceasefire agreement would be contingent on Western security guarantees, highlighting the importance of unity among European nations in addressing Russian aggression.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/21/zelensky-says-russia-ukraine-peace-deal-would-require-200000-allied-troops