Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again emphasized the need for the creation of a European military during his address at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

His statements arise amid growing uncertainties about the reliability of U.S. support if Donald Trump returns to the presidency.

Zelensky argued that Europe must assess its future security independent of American assistance.

These comments follow Trump’s announcement of expected meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss peace talks, a situation that has raised alarms among European leaders.

Zelensky remarked, "Let’s be honest -- we can no longer disregard the possibility that America might refuse to support Europe on matters that pose a threat," underscoring the urgency of his appeal for a shared European military force.

The concept of a unified European armed force has been under discussion for several years but has yet to evolve into a definitive strategy.

Zelensky maintained that Ukraine must be included in any conversation regarding its future, stating, "No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine. No decisions about Europe without Europe."

Zelensky expressed concern that Russian tactics may aim to exploit Trump’s influence, suggesting that Putin could attempt to use Trump to advance his own objectives.

He stressed the need for strong security guarantees from both the United States and European nations to thwart any future Russian aggression after a peace accord.

According to Zelensky, "Putin cannot provide genuine security guarantees, not only because he is deceitful but also because Russia in its current condition requires war to maintain its grip on power."

In response to Zelensky’s urgent call, European leaders voiced their commitment to ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty is upheld.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that enduring peace hinges on the support of Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted the necessity of an autonomous European strategy on security issues, arguing, "Europe desperately needs its own action plan regarding Ukraine and our security, or other world powers will shape our destiny. This plan needs to be created immediately. There's no time to waste."

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte remarked that discussions in Europe are moving towards concrete planning for potential security assurances.

While U.S. officials have insisted that Ukraine will not be forsaken after three years of conflict with Russia, mixed messages from Washington have caused worry in Kyiv.

For example, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth indicated that Ukraine might not be able to rejoin NATO or regain all its territory, raising concerns in Ukraine about the conditions of any peace settlement.

To bolster U.S. support, Kyiv is negotiating access to its rare earth mineral resources as part of security talks, with Zelensky confirming ongoing discussions following his meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

As Zelensky engages in diplomatic efforts, the situation for Ukrainian forces continues to shift on the ground.

The Russian military announced the capture of a village in eastern Donetsk, a strategic area crucial for linking key regional towns.

Despite advances in the region, Russian forces have continued to suffer heavy casualties, steadily progressing in eastern Ukraine.

In another development, a Russian drone strike at the Chernobyl nuclear facility caused concern, although radiation levels were reported as stable.

Zelensky remarked, "A nation that conducts such attacks does not desire peace. No. They do not want it. They are not preparing for dialogue."