President Zelenskyy urges US involvement for securing lasting peace in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the necessity of including US troops in any effective peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

In an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelenskyy argued that European allies alone do not have sufficient military strength to serve as a credible deterrent to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He made it clear that any solution without the United States would be ineffective. “It can’t be without the United States. Even if some European friends think it can be, no it can’t be. Nobody will risk without the United States,” Zelenskyy stated

Zelenskyy’s remarks come as he seeks to ensure continued support from the US and garner backing from China to influence Russia towards peace. He expressed frustration over his limited communication with Chinese President Xi Jinping but acknowledged China’s significant leverage over Putin, given Russia’s economic dependence on Beijing.

"He can push Putin for peace, I’m sure," Zelenskyy said. He also expressed concern that previous peace discussions, such as the 2015 Minsk negotiations, were held without Ukraine’s input, a situation he is keen to avoid in future talks.

With US President Trump returning to office, Zelenskyy has highlighted the opportunity for him to demonstrate US strength by securing lasting peace. Trump’s stance on the war is yet to be fully clarified, but Zelenskyy praised his commitment to expanding US energy exports, which he sees as a way to pressure Moscow.

“Ending the war should be a victory for Trump, not for Putin,” Zelenskyy declared.

The Ukrainian leader has also stressed the importance of obtaining strong security guarantees from the US and Europe to prevent future Russian aggression.

“The only question is what security guarantees and honestly I want to have understanding before the talks,” Zelenskyy said, indicating his desire for clear commitments before engaging in direct negotiations with Putin.

Despite some disagreements with Trump in the past, particularly over a controversial 2019 phone call, Zelenskyy remains hopeful that a diplomatic solution with US involvement will bring an end to the conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva