Zelensky Open to Western Troops for Ukraine Security
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed willingness to welcome Western troops in Ukraine as part of a potential security arrangement to end the war with Russia.
In a Telegram post Monday, Zelensky emphasized that this deployment would mark progress toward Ukraine’s NATO membership.
“But before that, we must have a clear understanding of when Ukraine will be in the European Union and when Ukraine will be in NATO,” he stated.
Zelesky’s comments were made while Ukraine navigates delicate diplomacy amid Russia’s ongoing offensive. International efforts to end Europe’s most significant conflict since World War II continue, with Russia holding the upper hand on the battlefield.
Could Western Troops Escalate the Conflict?
The presence of Western troops in Ukraine has sparked fears of escalation. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested this option earlier in the year but refrained from detailing which nations might participate, citing “strategic ambiguity.” Germany and Poland quickly rejected the idea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky talks during his meeting with Chairman of the German Christian Democratic Party (CDU) Friedrich Merz in Kyiv, Ukraine, Dec. 9, 2024. On Monday, Zelensky said that he’s open to the potential deployment of Western troops in Ukraine.
Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo
Ukraine’s NATO aspirations also remain a contentious issue. While NATO leaders declared Ukraine was on an “irreversible” path to membership during their July summit, the alliance has stopped short of a formal invitation.
Key members including the United States and Germany have expressed concerns about admitting Ukraine while it remains at war with Russia.
One obstacle is the question of Ukraine’s borders. With about one-fifth of the country occupied by Russian forces, defining NATO’s mutual defense obligations presents a challenge.
Will US Support Continue Under Trump?
As the Biden administration races to secure additional military aid for Ukraine, questions loom about whether President-elect Donald Trump will maintain military and financial support. Trump, who met with Zelensky in Paris on Saturday, called for a ceasefire but provided few details.
“He wants to have a ceasefire,” Trump said of Zelensky, according to the New York Post. “He wants to make peace. We didn’t talk about the details.”
Trump remarked: “I’m formulating a concept of how to end that ridiculous war.”
Meanwhile, Zelensky expressed gratitude to outgoing President Joe Biden for nearly $1 billion in recent U.S. military aid. He also reiterated Ukraine’s desire for a diplomatic resolution. “Ukraine wants this war to end more than anyone else. No doubt, a diplomatic resolution would save lives. We do seek it,” Zelensky posted on X.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky pose before a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Friday, Dec. 7, 2024. “He wants to have a ceasefire,” Trump said of Zelensky in comments to the New York Post published Sunday. “He wants to make peace. We didn’t talk about the details.”
Sarah Meyssonnier/AP Photo
Germany’s Divisions Over Military Aid
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his political rival Friedrich Merz remain divided over Ukraine policy. Scholz has refused to send Taurus long-range missiles, citing fears of provoking a wider conflict. In contrast, opposition leader Merz has proposed the equipping of Ukraine to target Russian military bases directly.
“Our position is clear … we want to put your army in a position to reach military bases in Russia,” Merz said during a visit to Kyiv. With his center-right Union bloc leading in German opinion polls, Merz could reshape Germany’s approach if elected in February.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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