Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the necessity of U.S. military participation in any peacekeeping mission aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelenskyy stated that without U.S. involvement, Russia might be emboldened to initiate further aggression.
Zelenskyy highlighted that solely European-led peacekeeping efforts could lead to divisions within NATO and fulfill Russian President Vladimir Putin’s objective of fracturing Western alliances. He asserted that European nations lack the military capabilities required to effectively manage such a mission independently.
French President Emmanuel Macron has advocated for deploying peacekeepers under a multinational command, and the United Kingdom previously considered sending military advisers to Ukraine. However, other European countries have been hesitant to commit troops to the region.
During his address at the forum, Zelenskyy urged European nations to strengthen their roles on the global stage, noting the geographical proximity of European countries to Russia and the potential threats posed by such closeness. He also referenced the involvement of North Korean soldiers in conflicts nearer to Europe than to Pyongyang, underscoring the complex international dynamics at play.
This call for U.S. involvement comes amid President Donald Trump’s recent warnings to Russia. Trump has threatened to impose significant economic sanctions, tariffs, and taxes on Russian goods if President Putin does not engage in peace negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine. Despite these threats, the Kremlin has dismissed them as “nothing new,” and the effectiveness of additional U.S. economic measures remains uncertain, given existing sanctions and the limited import of Russian goods into the United States.