Zelenskyy bats for joint European force as Scholz denounces US meddling in polls

Two top European leaders stiffened their spines on Saturday over unsettling new policies from Washington under President Donald Trump, as Ukraine’s president urged creation of an “armed forces of Europe” and the leader of Germany denounced meddling in its election after US Vice President JD Vance met with a German far-right leader.

Strident speeches from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Day 2 of the Munich Security Conference testified to the impact of a blizzard of Trump decisions that have resonated at home and in Europe, notably his hopes to end the Russia-Ukraine war and nurture perceived allies on the continent.

Ramping up his desire for a more muscular and mighty Europe, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s three-year fight against an invading Russian army has proved that a foundation exists for the creation of a European army that has long been discussed among some continental leaders.

“I really believe that time has come,” he said. “The armed forces of Europe must be created.” It’s unclear whether the idea will catch on with European leaders. Zelenskyy has sought greater military and economic support from the European Union for years and repeatedly warned that other parts of Europe could be vulnerable to Russia’s expansionist ambitions too.

While the bloc — along with the United States — has been one of Kyiv’s strongest backers, pockets of political disagreement in EU over its approach to Moscow and economic realities, including national debt levels that have crimped defence spending, have gotten in the way of greater support.

Zelenskyy alluded to a phone conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, after which Trump said he and Putin would likely meet soon to negotiate a peace deal over Ukraine — breaking with the Biden administration’s harder line against Moscow over Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Trump later assured Zelenskyy that he, too, would have a seat at the table to end the war. The Ukrainian leader insisted Europe should also have one.

‘Will not accept behind-the-back dealing’

“Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement, and the same rule should apply to all of Europe,” Zelenskyy said. “A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at the table. That says a lot.” Noting the presence of NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the audience, Zelenskyy said his idea “wasn’t about replacing the alliance. This is about making Europe’s contribution to our partnership equal to America’s”.