Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that without Ukraine’s army, Europe’s militaries would struggle to defend against Russia.
In an interview with Polish media outlets Onet, Rzeczpospolita, TVN24, and Krytyka Polityczna on January 15, Zelenskyy addressed the importance of Ukraine in protecting Europe.
“Europe without the Ukrainian army will not cope with the Russian army, because it is larger, has more weapons, more soldiers, and is more ruthless,” Zelenskyy said.
A Different Mindset
Zelenskyy explained that Europeans live peacefully in democracies and don’t fully understand war, unlike Russia, which has years of experience in fighting.
He warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware of this difference and could take advantage of it. “If Ukraine does not defend itself, he will quickly move on,” Zelenskyy added, suggesting that Russia might target other European countries.
Europe Must Act
The Ukrainian leader urged European countries to increase weapons production to support Ukraine and strengthen their own defenses. This, he said, is key to staying ahead of Russia in the arms race and protecting the continent.
Zelenskyy praised countries like Poland, Romania, and the Baltic and Scandinavian nations for understanding the threat Russia poses. However, he criticized other European nations for underestimating Russia’s ambitions and ignoring the danger.
“This is the biggest mistake,” Zelenskyy said, adding that greater awareness would lead to stronger sanctions, more weapons, and maximum support for Ukraine.
Russia’s Threat Beyond Ukraine
Zelenskyy warned that Russia’s plans go beyond Ukraine. Instead of using troops alone, Russia also attacks energy supplies, launches cyberattacks, and spreads disinformation to destabilize other countries.
“Putin doesn’t need troops to attack right now. He can harm countries by targeting energy systems or creating chaos online,” Zelenskyy explained.
Zelenskyy also mentioned the idea of sending European peacekeepers to Ukraine as part of a broader security plan. He said this could help prevent further Russian aggression and bring stability to the region.
