**Ukraine President: 200,000 European Troops Needed for Peace Deal**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on January 21 that at least 200,000 European soldiers would be needed to serve as peacekeepers in Ukraine’s eastern front for a peace deal to work.
Zelensky made the statement during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He emphasized that this number was a minimum requirement and that anything less would not be effective.
**US President Trump Vows to Negotiate Peace**
The comments come as US President Donald Trump has promised to quickly negotiate an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia. While a detailed plan has not been proposed, it is likely that European peacekeepers would be involved in such a deal.
Trump has said he will meet with Ukrainian leaders to discuss the conflict. Zelensky also mentioned this meeting in his remarks, saying that Trump needs to consult with Russian President Vladimir Putin first.
**Zelensky Highlights Military Imbalance**
During the panel discussion, Zelensky pointed out the significant imbalance in military capabilities between Ukraine and Russia. He noted that Russia can deploy 1.5 million troops compared to Ukraine’s 800,000 and France’s 200,000.
The Ukrainian president also ruled out Moscow’s demand that Ukraine reduce its military size as a condition for a peace deal.
**Europe Must Unite Against Russian Aggression**
Zelensky called on European nations to unite against Russian aggression. He warned that battles involving North Korean soldiers are now closer to Davos than to Pyongyang, implying that the conflict is spreading and becoming more global.
“Europe must establish itself as a strong global player,” Zelensky said. “While the United States remains an indispensable ally, Washington doubts Europe’s ability to contribute meaningfully to global security.”
**European Leaders Back Peacekeeping Mission**
Zelensky has been in contact with several European leaders about the prospects of a peacekeeping mission. French President Emmanuel Macron has spearheaded this initiative.
The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, visited Kyiv on January 16 and said that Britain will play its “full part” in supporting efforts to maintain an enduring peace in Ukraine.
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