Munich Security Conference: Europe Must Create Its Own Armed Forces
The time has come to create European Armed Forces. America can say ‘No’ to Europe on many issues that pose a threat to us.
This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his speech on the second day of the Munich Security Conference on 15 February.
Zelenskyy emphasised that the United States of America could refuse Europe in matters that would affect its security.
‘We must understand that America can now say ‘No’ to Europe in many issues that pose a threat to us. We need our own army. I think the time has come to create the European Armed Forces. It is no harder than standing up to Russia's attacks - as we have already done,’ Zelenskyy said.
He clarified that in this case, it is not only about increasing defence spending in relation to the GDP of countries, because ‘money will not stop an enemy attack’. According to Zelenskyy, people should be aware of the need to protect their own homes.
‘Three years of full-scale war have proven that we already have the basis for a united European military force. And now, when we are fighting this war and laying the foundation for peace and security, we must build the Armed Forces of Europe. So that the future of Europe depends only on Europeans, and decisions about Europe are made in Europe,’ the President of Ukraine stressed.
On the night before Munich, a Russian attack drone hit the sarcophagus covering the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. It was a modified Shahed drone, a Russian drone whose technology was transferred to Russia by Iran. Its warhead contained at least 50 kilograms of explosives.
Ukraine is currently preparing a meeting of the leaders of partner countries in Kyiv on 24 February to discuss peace, security guarantees and the future of collective security.
‘And we are already working to ensure that on 24 February, the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, we can come together in Kyiv and online. All European leaders. All key partners who protect our security. From Spain to Finland. From Britain to Poland. From Washington to Tokyo. This meeting should give a clear vision of our next steps - on peace, security guarantees and the future of our collective policy,’ the President of Ukraine said.
As The Gaze has previously reported, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference that she would step up efforts to speed up Ukraine's accession to the European Union, and that Europe should undoubtedly take more care of its own security and significantly increase defence spending.
‘Both the EU and the US want to stop the bloodshed. We want a just and lasting peace that will lead to a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. And Ukraine must be given credible security guarantees,’ von der Leyen said.
