Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine “may consider” a proposal by French President Emmanuel Macron to deploy Western troops on the country’s territory as part of a security strategy. The proposal was made during a recent discussion of international defense support for Ukraine.
In his opinion, this could be a solution to Ukraine's accession to NATO, which Kyiv insists on. Zelensky intends to discuss Ukraine's invitation to the Alliance again soon with Biden.
"And we talked about the fact that even if there is such a pause while Ukraine is not in NATO, and even if we had an invitation and we were not in NATO, and there is such a pause, what will happen at this time? Who guarantees us some security? And I will tell you frankly, we can think and work on Emmanuel's position. Do you remember, he proposed that some part of the troops of this or that country be present in some territories of Ukraine, which would guarantee us security while Ukraine is not in NATO? But we must have a clear understanding before that when Ukraine will be in the EU and when Ukraine will be in NATO," the President of Ukraine told reporters at a meeting with Merz.
Zelensky also confirmed that he, Trump and Macron talked about "a frozen conflict" and security guarantees.
"I said, we more than anyone in the world want an end to the war. And, of course, a diplomatic end to the war will save more lives. And we want that," the president said, but he also said that security guarantees were needed, which could include joining NATO.
Recall that Moscow insists on Ukraine's neutrality and has opposed the deployment of Western troops.
And Trump's team does not support Ukraine's invitation to NATO, the media wrote.
