As reported by AlJazeera Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Monday for a diplomatic resolution to end the ongoing Russian invasion, suggesting the possibility of deploying foreign troops in Ukraine until the country joins NATO, according to Hina agency, citing Reuters.
Zelensky’s comments during a joint press conference with German opposition leader Friedrich Merz indicate an increasing openness from Kiev for negotiations. At the same time, former President Donald Trump is preparing for his return to the White House on January 20, 2025.
The European Union Council has recently approved a second disbursement to Ukraine, amounting to over 4.2 billion euros.
Zelensky Stresses Ukraine’s Desire for Peace
In his statements, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine desires peace more than anyone else and that a diplomatic solution would save more lives. “Ukraine wants an end to this war more than anyone else. There is no doubt that a diplomatic solution would save more lives. We strive for that,” he said in Kiev on Monday.
Zelensky also mentioned having discussed the “freezing” of war lines with French President Emmanuel Macron and Trump. Russia has controlled nearly one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory since its invasion in 2022, sparking the largest conflict in Europe since World War II.
He added that he doesn’t believe Russian President Vladimir Putin truly wants to end the war, and that Putin would need to be forced into a resolution. “You can only apply force if Ukraine is strong. A strong Ukraine before any diplomacy means a strong Ukraine on the battlefield,” Zelensky said, implying that Kiev requires additional military support.
Macron’s Proposal
Zelensky also revisited French President Macron’s idea from February about sending European soldiers to Ukraine. However, there was no consensus among European leaders on the proposal.
“We can think and work on Emmanuel’s stance. He suggested that part of a state’s military could be present on Ukrainian territory, which would guarantee our security until Ukraine joins NATO,” Zelensky said, discussing the potential for foreign military support.
The Ukrainian president’s remarks signal a shift towards possible diplomatic avenues while underscoring Ukraine’s need for continued military aid to strengthen its position.
