Zelensky calls for European army as Trump’s US ‘might not defend continent’

Evening Standard

Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the creation of an “army of Europe”, suggesting the continent could not rely on Donald Trump’s United States for its defence.The president of Ukraine warned “America might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it” because “the old days are over”.

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00:00Ladies and gentlemen, I believe in Europe, and I am sure you believe too.

00:10And I urge you to act for your own sake.

00:25And for the sake of Europe, people of Europe, your nations, your houses, your children,

00:34and our shared future.

00:37For this, Europe has to become self-sufficient, united by common strengths, Ukrainian and

00:43European.

00:44Right now, Ukraine's army, supported by global aid, thank you so much, is holding back Russia.

00:53But if not us, then who will stop them, really?

00:59Let's be honest, now we can't rule out the possibility that America might say no to Europe

01:06on issues that threaten it.

01:08Many, many leaders have talked about Europe that needs its own military, an army, an army

01:17of Europe.

01:19And I really, I really believe that time has come, the armed forces of Europe must be created.

01:37This is not harder than standing firm against Russian attacks, as we have already done.

01:43But this is not just about increasing defense spending as a GDP ratio.

01:51Money is needed, of course, yes, but money alone will not stop an enemy assault.

01:56People and weapons don't come for free.

01:59But again, it's not just about budgets, it's about people realizing the need to defend

02:06their own, own home.

02:13For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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