Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the deployment of American troops to Ukraine, insisting that a multinational peacekeeping effort without U.S. participation would not be effective in deterring further Russian aggression. Speaking at the Davos World Economic Forum, Zelensky emphasized the need for U.S. involvement alongside European allies to stabilize Ukraine and prevent Russia from rearming during a potential ceasefire.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have proposed deploying peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. Zelensky acknowledged these efforts but argued that without U.S. leadership, such missions would fail to provide the necessary deterrent. “It can’t be without the United States. Even if some European friends think it can be, no, it can’t be. Nobody will risk [it] without the United States,” Zelensky reportedly told Bloomberg on the sidelines of Davos.
European military officials have raised concerns about their capacity to sustain a sizable peacekeeping force. A proposed deterrent force of 100,000 troops would heavily strain Europe’s land forces, particularly given the British military’s reduced size and other nations’ limited readiness. Senior retired British Army officers have cautioned against overcommitting, highlighting challenges in providing both land and naval support, especially in the Black Sea.
Zelensky also suggested that China could play a role in pressuring Russia toward peace. He noted that Russia’s economy and military supply chains are heavily reliant on Beijing and expressed optimism that Chinese President Xi Jinping could influence Russian President Vladimir Putin. While praising former President Donald Trump as “the strongest,” Zelensky emphasized the importance of global cooperation in forcing Russia to the negotiating table.
Macron has spearheaded the push for peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, with support from British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who stated that the United Kingdom would play a “full part” in the initiative. European leaders have explored the idea since December, but logistical challenges and doubts about the ability of European forces to sustain such a deployment persist.
Zelensky urged NATO and other donor nations to consider troop deployment as one of the most effective tools to ensure peace, stating that practical action is needed to make such a mission possible.
