Zelenskyy Open to Deployment of Western Troops to Ensure Security and End Ukraine War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed openness on Monday to the potential deployment of Western troops in Ukraine as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security and push toward NATO membership. In a post on his Telegram channel, Zelenskyy emphasized that before such a deployment could occur, there must be clarity on when Ukraine would join both the European Union and NATO. Zelenskyy’s comments come as the war with Russia approaches its third year, with Russia gaining significant ground in the conflict. The president’s proposal, which is a delicate diplomatic step, aligns with Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO, but also highlights ongoing international concerns over escalating the conflict. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who met Zelenskyy in Paris on Saturday, has expressed support for a ceasefire, but Zelenskyy stated that he would first approach outgoing President Joe Biden about NATO membership. Zelenskyy noted that Biden is still in office and thus has the authority to discuss these matters, while Trump, who has not yet assumed office, cannot make decisions regarding Ukraine’s NATO membership. The topic of Ukraine’s potential NATO membership and the deployment of Western troops has been deeply divisive since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. While NATO has declared Ukraine on an “irreversible” path to membership, full acceptance has been delayed, with concerns over the ongoing war and the need to clarify Ukraine’s borders. In addition, French President Emmanuel Macron previously floated the idea of Western troops on the ground in Ukraine, but it sparked fears of escalating the war further. Countries such as Germany and Poland have expressed reluctance to send troops to Ukraine due to the risks involved. On the ground, Ukraine’s military is withstanding intense Russian bombardment, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region. In a recent report, Zelenskyy highlighted that Russia launched nearly 500 guided bombs, more than 400 drones, and almost 20 missiles against Ukraine over the past week alone. Meanwhile, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz has called for more military aid to Ukraine, including the supply of Taurus long-range cruise missiles. Merz, who leads in German opinion polls ahead of the February election, argued that the current German government’s refusal to send these weapons limits Ukraine’s ability to strike military targets inside Russia. As the war in Ukraine continues, Zelenskyy’s push for NATO membership and his call for stronger Western military support remain central to the country’s strategy to defend itself against Russia.
Zelenskyy continues to push for a diplomatic resolution, stating that Ukraine wants the war to end more than anyone else. While expressing gratitude for the latest U.S. military aid of nearly $1 billion, Zelenskyy faces uncertainty regarding future U.S. support, particularly with the incoming administration of Donald Trump.
