Overview
- Speaking on Jan. 20, Zelensky said European leaders have taken no steps toward his proposal since he first raised it last year.
- He cited Russia’s goal of fielding 2–2.5 million troops by 2030 and urged a joint European force of at least 3 million personnel.
- He stressed that each country would keep its own sovereign army and that the plan would neither compete with the United States nor replace NATO.
- He said Ukraine could contribute combat experience and wartime-tested technologies, noting partners provide intelligence while Kyiv supplies interceptors.
- Recent EU measures include a 2030 defense-readiness roadmap, a proposed “military Schengen” to speed troop movement, and European Parliament calls to modernize transport infrastructure.