Zelenskiy Calls for European Army to Counter Russia as U.S. Shifts Focus

As the war in Ukraine nears its fourth year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made a dramatic call for the creation of a unified European army. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference 2025, Zelenskiy stressed that Europe can no longer rely on U.S. protection and must take charge of its own security. He argued that forming a European military force—including Ukraine—would strengthen the continent’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression and earn greater respect from Washington.

Rethinking Europe's Defense Strategy

Zelenskiy's push for a European army comes amid shifting geopolitical priorities in the U.S.. The Trump administration has made it clear that European allies in NATO must take greater responsibility for their own defense. In line with this stance, Washington recently sent a questionnaire to European capitals, asking what contributions they could make to Ukraine’s security guarantees in any future peace deal with Russia.

This move has fueled concerns in Europe that the U.S. might reduce its commitment to NATO and focus on domestic and Indo-Pacific challenges instead. The uncertainty has prompted European leaders to reconsider their reliance on the transatlantic alliance and explore new military frameworks.

The Case for a European Army

Zelenskiy argues that a European army is necessary to ensure that Europe’s fate is decided in Europe, not elsewhere. In his speech, he questioned the reliability of U.S. support:

"Does America need Europe as a market? Yes. But as an ally? I don’t know. For the answer to be yes, Europe needs a single voice, not a dozen different ones."

Currently, European defense cooperation is centered around NATO, but efforts to establish a separate European military force have been repeatedly blocked by national governments, citing sovereignty concerns. While France and Germany have expressed interest in deeper military integration, other countries—especially in Eastern Europe—believe that NATO remains the best framework for collective security.

America’s New Approach to Ukraine and Europe

The Trump administration’s recent diplomatic maneuvers have left many European leaders uneasy. Trump’s unilateral call with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Ukraine peace talks—without consulting European allies—was widely seen as a major diplomatic snub. Zelenskiy has warned that Kyiv will not accept a peace deal made without its input, expressing concerns that Trump may offer concessions to Russia at Ukraine’s expense.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged European nations to stop complaining about being left out of key decisions and instead focus on building military strength. He advised European leaders to increase defense spending and develop clear strategic proposals for the future.

Difficult Choices Ahead for Europe

With growing uncertainty over America’s long-term military commitment, Europe faces difficult decisions regarding its defense policy. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot acknowledged that Europe must prepare for tough choices:

"We will have to face difficult days, make complicated decisions, and even sacrifices we weren’t expecting until now to ensure our security."

Despite these challenges, some signs of transatlantic cooperation remain. The G7 foreign ministers, including the U.S., recently agreed to continue working towards a durable peace deal for Ukraine with strong security guarantees. The group—which includes France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, Britain, and the EU—stressed that any agreement must ensure that Russia cannot restart the war.

The Road Ahead: Will Europe Build Its Own Military Force?

Zelenskiy’s call for a European army has reignited a long-standing debate on the continent. While some leaders support greater defense integration, others insist that NATO remains the cornerstone of European security.

As U.S. priorities shift, Europe must decide whether to continue relying on NATO or take a bold step toward a unified military force. With Russia’s aggression showing no signs of abating, the question of Europe’s defense autonomy is more pressing than ever.