**Ukraine Gets Foreign Military Contingent**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on February 17 that his country has made progress in setting up a foreign military contingent. This is a significant step towards getting international security help.
Zelensky visited the United Arab Emirates and met with officials there. He described the development as “a concrete step beyond diplomatic discussions.” This means that Ukraine is moving from talking about security to actually getting help.
The idea of a foreign military presence in Ukraine has been discussed for some time now. Some Western countries are thinking about sending peacekeepers if Russia agrees to a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine. The US has said it won’t send troops, but wants its European allies to take the lead.
**European Force**
Zelensky thinks that this could be the first step towards creating a unified European armed force. He believes that this would allow Europe to respond to threats in multiple ways, such as on land, sea, and air.
He also said that Ukraine is not just asking for troops to be stationed there, but also for air defense systems and other equipment to improve security.
**Ukraine’s Position**
Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine will never accept any decisions about its future without being involved in the process. He wants Ukraine to have a say in peace negotiations with Russia and the US.
The Ukrainian president has been pushing for European countries to take more responsibility for their own security, rather than relying on the US.